Topic Outlines for An Ethical Will

If you're ready and willing to get started on your ethical will, here are two possible outlines for your use in organizing your writing (or taping an "interview" with yourself). Use them if you’d like, making additions and changes as desired, or create your own version.

ETHICAL WILL OUTLINE - Option 1

A. OPENING THOUGHTS & PURPOSE

State who you are addressing and what you hope to share in your ethical will.

B. YOUR VALUES

Identify what has mattered most – what you’ve have stood for – in your life.

What did you devote most of your time to? For what reasons?

C. LIFE EXPERIENCES & LESSONS LEARNED

Describe important life experiences and what you learned from them.

Who were the most important people and how did they influence you?

Share about your name(s) and tell your story about growing up. Tell the stories that your grandparents told you (and what they told you about their ancestors).

Describe memorable family and worklife experiences and what they meant to you.

D. YOUR BELIEFS

Share your spiritual beliefs and the faith that guided and sustained you during the “ups and downs” of your life.

E. LOVE & FORGIVENESS

Express your love to people you care about, ask for forgiveness if you have any regrets, and forgive those who may have hurt you.

F. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE

Share your dreams and wishes for your family members, friends, and community.

Offer your personal “words of wisdom” and guidance for the lives of loved ones.

G. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Express your gratitude to people who have loved and supported you on your life journey.

Give thanks for your life and bless those who follow in future generations.

ETHICAL WILL OUTLINE - Option 2

1. OPENING THOUGHTS & PURPOSE

State who you are addressing and what you hope to share in your ethical will.

2.THE PAST

Share about your name(s) and legacies you’ve received.

Tell ancestral stories that were told to you.

Share your own family stories that you’d like people to remember.

Include any photos and/or other remembrances from the past.

3. THE PRESENT

Share your values -- what has mattered most – what you’ve have stood for – in your life.

What did you devote most of your time to? For what reasons?

Describe important life experiences and what you learned from them.

Who were the most important people and how did they influence you?

Share your spiritual beliefs and the faith that guided and sustained you during the “ups and downs” of your life.

Include any photos and/or other remembrances from the present.

4. THE FUTURE

Express your love to people you care about, ask for forgiveness if you have any regrets, and forgive those who may have hurt you.

Share your dreams and wishes for your family members, friends, and community.

Offer your personal “words of wisdom” and guidance for the lives of loved ones.

Bless those who follow you in future generations of your family.

5. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Express your gratitude to people who have loved and supported you on your life journey.

Give thanks for your life.

Whichever outline or elements of the suggested outlines you decide to use, remember that your ethical will is a personal expression of your heart ... your personal legacy of the life you've lived. So be sure that it “speaks” in your unique voice and that its content represents what has been most important in your life. Think of your ethical will as a heartfelt gift that you’re giving to future generations of your family, friends, and community.