Legacy Work
Legacy work or meaningful conversations that help individuals, families and caregivers review the life of a dying person, and may produce a meaningful project that serves as a living memory after the individual’s death (Allen et al., 2008, Baydala et al., 2006).
The beauty of legacy work is that there is no timeline to when it should or can be implemented. Legacy work can be completed before or after a person dies.
Activities can be as simple as you would like, for example writing a letter or doing a voice recording or activities can also be more complex requiring more time and effort, for example a scrapbook or recipe.
The purpose of legacy work is to initiate reflection and sharing of memories. This can result in a keepsake but could simply be a conversation you will always remember. The process of legacy work can be therapeutic for anyone.
Benefits of Legacy Work
- An opportunity to reflect on memories, moments and life
- Creates connections in that moment and at other times
- Remember and embrace your who you are – your identity
- Encourages communication and sharing family stories
A variety of legacy resources can be accessible online by typing in legacy work in your internet search engine. Not sure where to start? Feel free to check out these websites:
pinterest.com
search for legacy activities in the search bar
Be Inspired!
Remembering your loved one is; important, healthy and often promotes healing. Find inspiration in this legacy resource created for families by families.