Writing Your Ethical Will

An ethical will is another way for an individual to allow others into their personal thoughts, hopes and philosophies. An ethical will is not a legal document as compared to a living will, which is an important legal document.

An Ethical Will is just one of many parts of a Legacy Project, where a person can bring in friends and family to share their life experience. Find out more about the Legacy Project.

Sitting Down & Writing an Ethical Will

This is your chance to write out exactly how you think and feel about any or all aspects of your life. As liberating as this idea might seem, it can also appear as quite a daunting task. Do not let your internal editor start working; just continue to write and later you can go back and change or amend your work as needed. Below are some issues and questions to consider when thinking about which topics you would like to cover:

Getting Started

• Decide who the ethical will is dedicated to: family? friends?
• What are your reason(s) for making an ethical will?

Explain Your Viewpoint & Life History

• What are your feelings about your life?
• How do you feel about today’s world?
• What’s your life philosophy?
• What are your thoughts on what is good? What are your thoughts on what is bad?
• What people or things are you grateful for?
• How do believe others should be treated?
• What are your goals in life?
• What are your rules and standards for living?
• What strong beliefs do you have? When do you think you must stand up for your beliefs? Are their times you believe you should “let sleeping dogs lie”?
• How do you deal with emotional issues?
• How have you grown from past experience(s)?
• How have you tried to attain financial security?
• What memories from your past stick out the most?
• How have you learned to overcome obstacles or disappointments?
• What is your favorite poem, song, or other beloved piece of art?

Explaining Your Personal Philosophies

The following are a list of topics to consider exploring while you writing in order to let your loved ones or friends understand your perceptions:

Despair. When have you felt despair? How did you deal with it? Have you seen it in others and did you try to help them? Did it work? Any thoughts on controlling despair?

Anger. What has caused you to become angry? Do you think anger is productive?

Faith. What is the role of faith in your opinion?

Self-Importance. What are your thoughts on self-important people? How much is a healthy amount of self importance?

Procrastination. Some may choose to put this question off for later.

Living Life to the Fullest. Do you feel you have done this?

Devotion. Who or what deserves our devotion? What have you devoted yourself to over the years?

Happiness. Have you felt great happiness or joy in your life—if so, when? What do you think the role of happiness is for a person?

Charity. What are your thoughts on giving? Should you help those closest to you? What was the single greatest act of charity you witnessed in your life? Do you believe in altruism?

Courage. Do you feel you have been courageous? Did your life circumstances present you with a time when you had to choose between courage and cowardice? What was the single greatest act of courage you witnessed in your life?

Compassion. What does compassion mean to you? Have you experienced it from others? Felt it in your own life?

Luck and Good Fortune. What are your thoughts on good luck? Is there such a thing? Do you view fortune as something bestowed by a higher power?

Loyalty. Is there such a thing as unending loyalty? What are your thoughts on people and how they express or have shown loyalty?

Equanimity. Do you have a calm nature? What are your thoughts on even-tempered people?

Loneliness. Have you experienced loneliness? Do you have ideas of why it can occur?

Finding Fault. Do you think finding fault with others is something you have seen or dealt with often in life? What are your thoughts on other people?

Being Overextended. Have you gone through phases in life when you were overextended financially, emotionally or otherwise? How did you cope?

Facing Unpleasantness. What is your response to unpleasant situations?

Injustice. What injustices have you seen in your lifetime? What are your thoughts on them?

Suffering. What does the concept of suffering mean to you?

Faith. How has faith or belief influenced your life? What has been the role of spirituality or religion for you? What are your thoughts on prayer or meditation?

Explain Your Reflections & Wishes

• What are your thoughts on life and death?
• What hopes do you have for the future or your descendants?

Posted in Advanced Directives, Advanced Planning, Communicating with Loved Ones, Dealing with Grief & Guilt, Dying with Dignity, Essential Documents, Supportive Homecare, Tranquility while Dying