An Ethical Will is a letter on the meaning of the writer’s life for the benefit of themselves and others. It is a journey into memory to reveal the experiences that shaped the writer’s world view. It captures forever the writer’s place in history and enriches the lives of its readers. This deep human instinct to leave a footprint has ancient heritage. There are examples of Ethical Wills dating back thousands of years. The intent of an Ethical Will is not just to tell stories. The intent is to gift the reflections on these stories to loved ones.
Dr. Alan Bingham, who presented a program on Hospice and Palliative Care in 2019, returns for a discussion of the importance of Ethical Wills and to offer strategies for how to begin writing your own.