GETTING STARTED

Resources such as Story Circles, Memory Stations, Show & Tell, and other reflection activities provide approachable ways to begin.  Some may lead to material for a Personal Testament.  Others may simply begin conversations that encourage people to think more deeply about what their experiences have taught them. 

There are many ways to begin with the Testament Society.  You may be ready to create your own Personal Testament, help someone else preserve theirs, thinking about establishing a Testament tradition within your family, or looking for activities and resources you can use with a group.

Choose the path that best describes what brings you here.  You can always explore the other paths later.

        I Want to Create My Testament

You do not need to know what your finished Testament will look like before you begin.  You can start by gathering things you have already written, preserving a single story, exploring a belief or value, or reflecting on something life has taught you.

The Create Yours page explains what the process can look like and introduces the different ways a Testament can take shape.  When you are ready to begin working on yours, the Starter Guide will take you through the first practical steps.  CREATE YOURS

        I Am Helping Someone Create Their Testament

Sometimes the person with something worth preserving needs another person to help bring it forward.  You may be helping a parent, grandparent, spouse, friend, or someone else gather memories, record conversations, organize existing writings, or explore what they want to leave behind.

The goal is not to write that person's Testament for them.  It is to help them preserve their experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and reflections in their own voice.  Our resources include activities and approaches that can help memories surface and conversations develop.  RESOURCES FOR HELPING SOMEONE

        I Want to Build a Family Testament Tradition

Imagine having more than photographs, names, dates, and family stories from the generations that came before you.  Imagine also having their own reflections on what they believed, what they struggled with, what they learned, what they valued, and what they hoped the generations after them might understand.

Families can begin encouraging these conversations long before anyone is ready to complete a formal Testament.  Over time, individual Testaments can become a family inheritance passed from one generation to the next.  EXPLORE FAMILY RESOURCES

        I Lead a Group

Testament activities can also be used in groups.  Senior living communities, community organizations, churches, classrooms, clubs, families, and other groups can create opportunities for people to remember, tell stories, reflect together, and begin considering what from their lives may be worth preserving.

Resources such as Story Circles, Memory Stations, Show & Tell, and other reflection activities provide approachable ways to begin.  Some may lead to material for a Personal Testament.  Others may simply begin conversations that encourage people to think more deeply about what their experiences have taught them.  Group activities can be found on our Resource Page EXPLORE GROUP ACTIVITIES 

        Not Sure Which Path Fits?

You don't need to know exactly where your journey with the Testament Society will lead.  Getting Started is simply intended to help you find a useful place to begin. If none of these paths quite describes what you are looking for, you can browse all of the tools and activities currently available.  EXPLORE ALL RESOURCES