An ethical will is a message from the heart

An ethical will is not legally binding; it is a message from the heart.

While the term 'Ethical Will' sounds legalistic, other alternatives are more descriptive as "ending note," "legacy film," "love will," "testament," "life-film," or "farewell with love and instructions." This type of film can be both a vehicle for self-exploration and a gift to yourself and loved ones. It may be shared while you are alive, or leave it to be watched when you are gone. It can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as a full memoir or family history.

Legacy films are often created at transition points such as marriage, childbirth, a major illness, or simply arriving at that point when you see more life behind you than in front of you. Assessing your life experiences and values via the documentary film format can etch, for all time, the reasons behind choices made, the cast of characters and the values discovered through experience.  These life lessons and values can be passed down to your children and grandchilden in the familiar format of film. A legacy film can be incredibly meaningful to the family after you are gone.   

Your last will and testament disposes of all your earthly goods — who gets which valuables, what you want your survivors to have. Your living will spells out the kind of medical care you want when you can no longer care for yourself. Your filmed narrative of intent spells out the things that would make you happy should you experience a disabling health event, in the event that you can't care for yourself and might not be able to express yourself.

A filmed ethical will outlines where your values came from and which values and life lessons you want to pass on to the next generation.  This process can energize you — and change the way you see your life.

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.

- Mark Twain