Legacy Work
What is Legacy Work?
We all are stories; a collection of experiences that have shaped our lives.
Legacy can be defined as the sharing or gifting of something that we leave behind when we die. But legacy is more than this. Legacy is about sharing knowledge and stories, thoughts, and ideas, pieces of ourselves that we want to pass along to those we love.
Within these stories are the experiences that shaped us into who we are. It is in these legacy conversations that we begin to learn things like how we find and make meaning in our lives, when we feel most alive, or what are some of our greatest accomplishments.
Why do Legacy Work?
Legacy is about prolonging one’s influence across space and time. It is about creating something that will reflect who you are and what you lived for. It is a way to communicate what you have experienced and felt but also what you hope for others.
Beyond this, research has shown that people who have engaged in legacy work can experience a continued sense of purpose and meaning, and it can have an enhanced end of life experience for people nearing death. Furthermore, it can increase a personal sense of dignity while also helping a person navigate and process the reality of dying and leaving their people behind.
Legacy Packages
Tier 1: Hourly Rate, Legacy Conversation | Tier 2: The Legacy Conversation | Tier 3: The Legacy Conversation with Additional Content | |
Type of Service | A guided conversation by a grief therapist with a person who is terminally ill, by family after a death or as a reflective conversation unrelated to death. | Filmed and edited conversation guided by a grief therapist. | Filmed and edited conversation guided by a grief therapist with additional content such as home photos and videos. |
Included Sessions | Initial session about the work, the conversations and unedited audio version of the conversation. | Initial session about legacy work/planning process. The legacy conversation. | Initial session about legacy work/planning process. The legacy conversation. Follow-up sessions during the editing process as/if needed. |
Review Session | N/A | An appointment can be booked to review the piece together if wanted. | An appointment can be booked to review the piece together if wanted. |
Session Duration | In-person or virtual sessions paid on an hourly basis. | In person: Up to 4 hours to complete the conversation. Virtually: Up to 4 one-hour sessions for virtual conversations. | In person: Up to 4 hours to complete the conversation. Virtually: Up to 4 one-hour sessions for virtual conversations. |
Additional Session Cost | As requested, potentially shifting the work into Tiers 1 or 2 work. | $175 per hour for any extra sessions, if needed. | $175 per hour for any extra sessions, if needed. |
Cost | $175 per hour | $3300 | $5000 |
Notes
For an additional fee, the creation of unique, additional video or photography content can be discussed as well as the use of stock footage as/when appropriate and fitting.
The collecting of materials in advance is strongly recommended. This not only allows the editing to be done in a timelier manner; it can also help guide some of the conversations and stories you want to share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my benefits provide coverage for these legacy sessions?
If you have benefits that cover the cost of Social Work, the session appointments can be submitted to your insurance provider.
Some insurance providers will cover the cost of document preparation and plan development and formulation. The editing of your legacy piece will be invoiced under these headings for you to submit to your provider but please note the costs may not be covered.
How long will conversations take?
Each legacy film is unique to the individual and family but based on our experience we estimate it will take anywhere between 2 to 6 hours of in-session time, which will be billed as therapy sessions for purpose of insurance coverage.
These conversations will include:
- Initial session about the legacy work/the planning and preparation process.
- The legacy conversation(s) themselves, which may be done in one sitting or over the course of multiple sessions.
- Follow-up sessions as needed during the editing process.
- An appointment can be booked to review the piece together if wanted.
How long should I expect for the editing time?
Editing time varies based on the package you have chosen but also the length of the legacy conversations. In our experience, for every hour of conversation, it will take a minimum of 2 hours of editing time without the incorporation of additional footage.
Why? Part of the reason for this is the removal of the therapist's voice, editing out starts/stops and pauses, as well as the reordering of footage as themes emerge to make a cohesive final film.
Additional information:
These conversations can be arranged virtually or in-person. For in-person appointments outside of an 80km radius from the grief therapist, a travel fee will apply, depending on the distance.
For conversations that seem to require more time or a customized approach, there may be additional costs that can be discussed prior to starting.
Who is providing the service?
Brian Douglas is a Registered Social Worker (Master of Social Work, University of Toronto) with a focus on grief, a photographer and filmmaker based in Kitchener, Ontario. By combining these skills, Brian has found a passion in providing individuals who are dying the unique opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind legacy film: a personalized mini-documentary.
To inquire about Legacy Work for yourself or someone important in your life, please contact us at [email protected].