Your Life in Your Words: Legacy Writing & Celebration of Life Planning

Go from carrying your memories in your head… to knowing your story and wishes are safely held, and won’t be lost.
Let's start planning your legacy

You’ve lived a rich and fulfilling life, now you're in the last chapter and you want to be the one to tell your story

It’s easy to plan ahead for the logistics of your later life, but how do you go about telling your loved ones what you REALLY want them to hear?

  • You know what you want to say…but you’re not sure how to say it.
  • You don’t want to burden your family with tough decisions or loose ends.
  • You want them to know what matters to you, in your own words.
  • And maybe the biggest fear of all…that your life will be reduced to a few dates and facts, not the real, rich story behind it all.

You’re not alone.

So many people carry their story in their heads,
 worried it will stay there. Unfinished, unheard, and unshared.

What you get when you choose a private legacy writing session...

  • A written record of your life, values, and what matters most, in your words
  • Language your family can return to again and again, long after you’re gone
  • The clarity that comes from finally saying what you’ve been carrying
  • The relief of being truly heard by someone who knows how to listen
  • You will leave with a professionally written legacy document, ready to share, keep, or read aloud when the time comes.
 

A powerful shift: from internal pressure to external peace

Let's start recording your story

Let go of the weight of “someday I’ll write it down”
And know that your life and your wishes won’t be lost, forgotten, or misunderstood.

What happens in your private legacy writing session

We meet in person or on Zoom to talk about your life and wishes. 

This time together includes:

  • One guided, recorded conversation (2 hours)
  • Gentle prompts exploring your life, values, people, and wishes
I go away and write up your story. You’ll receive:
  • A draft of your legacy within 7-10 days of our meeting, which you can add to or amend. (Two rounds of amends)
  • A polished PDF keepsake, suitable for:
    • Family remembrance
    • Or reading aloud at a celebration of life
    • Additional guidance notes for your family for your celebration of life or funeral. (optional)

This isn’t just your life story. It’s a small, powerful act of love. 

For yourself. For your people. For someone you care about deeply.

Giving them the gift of your story told in your words for them to treasure, even when you’re not with them.

Let's start recording your story

About me...

Hi, I’m Ruth Douglas, a celebrant, listener, and guide.

For years, I’ve helped families shape beautiful, heartfelt ceremonies that feel exactly right, even in life’s hardest moments.

People often tell me that what mattered most was feeling truly heard and gently supported.
 That’s exactly how I approach working with you.

With warmth, calm, and care, I’ll guide you through a meaningful conversation, asking thoughtful questions, listening deeply, and turning your memories into words that reflect you.
 Your voice, your values, your story. Captured in writing for the people who matter most.

This work is sacred to me.
 Because your life is more than a few dates.
 It deserves to be remembered in full colour.

funeral ceremony creative workshop

Your questions answered

That’s completely normal. Most people have some ideas of things they’d like to talk about, and memories they’d like to include but aren’t sure how to put them into words.

I’ll guide the conversation gently with thoughtful prompts, helping you reflect on your life, your values, and the people who matter most.

You don’t need to prepare anything, just come as you are.

Not at all.

Many people choose to create a legacy document while they are well and able to reflect calmly on their life and wishes. It can be a thoughtful gift to your family, a way to record your values, or simply a chance to put your story into words. Think of it as an extension to your estate of funeral planning, it gives your family and friends a roadmap of what you’d like to happen after you’ve gone.

That’s completely normal, life is full of emotion and memories are often attached to powerful feelings.

We might laugh, feel sad, have a bit of a cry, all emotions are welcome. I’ll keep things at your pace and we can stay on a topic or move on as you wish.

No, we’re creating a different kind of legacy.

A will deals with legal and financial matters.
This session focuses on your story, your values, and your wishes in your own words.

No.
A funeral plan made with a funeral director or other organisation focuses on the logistics of your funeral. For example, if you want to be cremated or buried, where the funeral might take place, the kind of coffin you’ll have an other material things.
Legacy planning captures the feelings, words and memories that you want to share with your people. It gives them a guide for what to include in your celebration of life or funeral service.

This session is for anyone who wants to:

  • Record their life story and values
  • Share messages for loved ones
  • Leave guidance or reassurance for family
  • Make sure their wishes are clearly understood

You don’t need to be creative or a writer or a wonderful storyteller.

You just have to be you, someone who wants their words to be remembered.

Of course they can.

If you’d like to include friends or family members in your legacy session it can help jog your memory and create a fuller picture of who you are and what your life has been.

Additional 1-2-1 meetings with family or friends can be added at an agreed cost.

I’ll aim to get the first draft of your legacy document to you within a week.

I’ll confirm the exact timeframe and expectations when we meet.

You’ll have two opportunities to make changes to the document to create the final version.

The whole process usually takes a month to 6 weeks.

Yes, of course.

Life changes and there might be new stories and memories to add.

You can book a follow up session at any time for an agreed rate.

People often tell me the same thing after our session:
“I wish I’d done this sooner.”

It brings clarity, peace of mind, and the reassurance that their story and wishes won’t be lost.

For many families, these words become something they return to again and again.

Your Legacy Document can be used to help guide your family at a time when they are overwhelmed with grief at your loss, it is a way to look after them after you’ve gone. An act of love, kindness and care, as much as a gift of your story.

I charge £375 to meet with you,  learn all about you and write and create your personal legacy or celebration of life document.

Let's start creating your legacy...