ETHICAL WILL SAMPLE

In the sample Ethical Will below, several issues both personal and practical are discussed. Issues such as the raising of your children and your thoughts about the future for your surviving partner/spouse are important ones to cover in this document.

Your own Ethical Will might look as simple as this, or be something very different. Your Ethical Will can be a handwritten note, list, computer-generated and printed document, a love letter, collage, etc. You can also add photographs, drawings, borders, and use special papers and envelopes. Remember to keep is simple otherwise you may never do it.

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August 10, 2005

My dearest husband,

You will read this when you know that I will no longer be with you, in life. These words are important for me to say, because they let you know how I fee about myself, my marriage to you, my child, my extended family, and how I wish you to continue living without me. Of great importance are my feelings about the development of our son, Michael, and what I wish I could do if I were still physically available as he grows up.

I spent many years wandering, playing, and learning about the world and myself, and finally found who I was meant to be when I discovered poetry. Writing poetry is my personal joy, and one I always loved sharing with you, and others. I wish I had been able to publish a book of poems, but you know I am singing poetry now in my new celestial home. I consider the joining of unrelated thoughts and words together in a musical rhythm deeply satisfying. And, I was aware of doing this in my every day life: cooking, laundry, cleaning, caring for our son, driving, grocery shopping, our many friendships, volunteering at the hospital and school.

My marriage to you was one long song, an ode that swayed and bowed, dipped and soared. Joys and sorrows we have known, but through it all we held each other's hands, hearts, and souls. I am deeply sad to leave you. I am deeply grateful that you have loved me. I am deeply joyful that I have had this short time with you. I deeply wish you continued joy in your life's journey, and if it means finding another partner, please know that I grant you that freedom to pursue what brings you joy, even if it's defined in a way that is different than the joy you and I shared.

Our beautiful son, Michael, is only 8 years old, bless his heart, body, and soul. So tragic, how can I leave him now? A boy needs his mother, and I have failed him by leaving him. My dearest Michael, blood and soul of mine, I am with you, I truly love you, I have faith that you will shine so brightly that I will see it from here. I trust you to have hope that you will get through the hard parts and will find love and laughter again. My loving husband and your father, please serve as his guide and ever-lasting role model of goodness. A boy's father is probably more important than his mother, and I trust you to teach Michael how to give, care, laugh, learn, and lead. I feel so sad that I can't be with you, Michael, as you grow up, find your own loving life partner, perhaps have your own children and see them grow. How I wish I could be there to share those happy times with you. And this is where anger comes in… David, as Michael's sole caregiver now, take the steps necessary to arrange adequate protections for him in the event you must leave him. This is so hard to think about, but important as you know now.

David, I ask you to assure my parents and brothers and sisters, that the life I have shared with them is with me always. There is a separate document just for them, saying how much their strength and love sustained me during this horrible year.

Accept the care, love, and assistance provided you and Michael by our dear friends. It will be easy at first, then very difficult as you grieve and retreat, but that is when you will need them most. Let them in, but don't let Michael get too far away from you. Stay with yourself, your beliefs, your goals. You are an honest, hard working, moral man.

A poem for you - the words are nothing compared to what's in my heart, but all I have to give you now.

Leaving you, branches bare
Birds leaving in flocks overhead
Grass dying, flowers brown, garden drained.
Life is gone, washing away, emptying, leaving.
To sleep, to rest, to dream.
A circle broken, then a circle reborn.
A closed door ,then an open window.
What will you see? What will you find?
Another light, another treasure, another birth.

With all my love,

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Legacy Cottage is owned and operated by professional historian, Mimi Clark. With a master's degree in Public History, Mimi has over 20 years of experience working with historic documents, artifacts, and themes in a variety of settings, including museums, historic sites, photograph collections, and film companies across the country. With each project, Mimi brings a professional approach and joyful curiousity to the discovery, presentation, and care of precious keepsakes and personal histories. Legacy Cottage is a one-stop resource for the materials needed to collect, share, celebrate, and store family stories and mementos.

Mimi Clark is a member of the National Council on Public History. The public need for the best historical information and analysis motivates every undertaking of NCPH. The council believes that the study of the past provides the soundest basis for making intelligent choices on how to resolve the problems of the present.