When Beth Hunter learned that her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she asked if she could record their conversations so she could listen to them later. However, her father declined the offer. According to Hunter, her father did not like to discuss emotional topics deeply, nor did he talk about death. Instead, he focused more on writing about his war stories. Initially, he wrote them himself and later had others type them out.
It is often believed that the desire to leave a legacy becomes more important after death for elderly individuals; however, some scholars argue that this desire can start at the beginning of life—and this is true. Various studies have shown that understanding the human wish to leave something for future generations can also help discover new ways to improve mental health. “Many people don’t think about this,” says Hunter, an associate professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, who is also researching how people with cancer think about legacy.
Legacy can manifest in many forms and is sometimes left unknowingly. “Whether you realize it or not, everyone leaves some kind of legacy,” Hunter explains. Legacy is not limited to property, real estate, or artistic creations such as music and writing. Some researchers categorize legacy into three interconnected classes: biological legacy, which covers our bodies and genetics; physical legacy, including possessions and property; and value-based legacy, such as beliefs, culture, and social heritage.
A clear example of biological legacy is having children and continuing one’s lineage. However, genetic inheritance and legacy are distinct concepts. Genetic inheritance refers to the lineage passed down from ancestors, while legacy signifies the lasting impact after death. Biological legacy can also involve organ donation. In the U.S., approximately 170 million people are registered organ donors, but only about three out of every thousand donors manage to complete successful organ donations. Many prefer to donate their entire bodies for medical science, which aids students’ education and the development of new medical techniques. In 2021, the U.S. received more than 26,000 whole body donations.
A recent study of over 100 individuals registered for body donation in Belgium revealed that the main motivation—accounting for 57 percent—was to contribute to science. Others cited altruism and gratitude towards healthcare services, while 16 percent made this decision to give meaning to their own death. This motivation applies even to those with genetic diseases or poor health. Activist Susan Potter is an example; she suffered from cancer, diabetes, and arthritis among other chronic illnesses. She donated her body to the U.S. “Visible Human Project” to assist young medical professionals.
Potter’s case was unique because she allowed her body to be preserved at -9.4 degrees Celsius, then it was divided into 27,000 segments, each photographed to create a 3D digital ‘virtual cadaver’ which helps students study the human body digitally. Hunter’s study of women surviving cancer found that these women hoped their legacy would inspire positive behavior in their families and encourage cancer screening. “For women confronting cancer diagnoses and fear of death, leaving a mark is extremely important,” she said.
According to Hunter, the importance of legacy can even help encourage patients to participate in clinical trials. For those approaching the end of life, legacy-related topics can offer comfort. Some hospitals and care centers provide support for legacy activities such as journaling, writing cards to loved ones, engaging in art, or creating an “ethical will.” An “ethical will” is not a legal document but a tool people use to pass on their thoughts, values, and recommendations to future generations.
Research conducted on both adults and children nearing the end of life indicates that such activities reduce depression and anxiety while easing emotional pain. In value-based legacies, acts like charity, property transfers, or leaving valuable items constitute aspects of physical legacy. Family photos and diaries are also important means of transmitting significant family stories in the future. Donating one’s name to a building can also leave a lasting impression on society.
However, studies show that what people most want to leave behind are values of kindness and helping others. A study involving 38 women of different ages and health conditions found that they wished to convey their experiences and values. These values were expressed through moral examples based on behavior, religion, or spirituality, or by writing stories, family histories, or important life events, sometimes even recording audio.
Leaving a legacy of values also has benefits. Some U.S. researchers interviewing people aged 65 and older found that it promotes peace, acceptance of the past, expression of significant matters, and motivation to continue living. Some described this process of leaving a value-based legacy as ‘physical,’ while one person said, “This journey reminds you of the challenges you’ve overcome, your resilience, and your life philosophy.”
Humans have spent millennia confronting the fear of death and contemplating legacy, but research on this concept has only existed for about 75 years. In 1950, German psychoanalyst Erik Erikson coined the term “generativity” to describe an individual’s concern for future generations and the well-being of others. This is the seventh stage of his eight-stage psychosocial development theory, considered the primary life task for middle-aged people.
If someone fails to achieve ‘generativity,’ it can negatively impact the direction and health of their life. Some scholars argue that this period extends beyond middle age and should continue throughout life. Another reason people want to leave a legacy is fear of death. “This compels people to think, if I am dying, what is the meaning of life?” says Kimberly Wade-Benzoni, a professor at Duke University, North Carolina.
“Death is at the heart of the psychology that inspires legacy. When we are reminded of death, we think, ‘I do not want to die; I want to live.'” She explains that thinking about legacy can evolve people from experiencing ‘death anxiety’ toward ‘death reflection.’ Other theorists suggest that in facing the fear of death, people want to see their life as a meaningful story. Jesse Barrington, professor of psychology at the University of Otago, New Zealand, says, “The desire for legacy is part of the need to share our stories.”
“We present ourselves as the hero of our story, which serves as a final message or lesson for future generations.” He argues that the attraction to legacy reflects our nature to care about others’ thoughts. “Death-related anxiety can never be entirely eliminated.” Lifelong relationships are essential for health and happiness. Therefore, legacy can also be considered an “artificial extension” of the human need for love and connection.
Write down your own ‘legacy wishes.’ Although research is ongoing, the mystery remains over why we want to be positively remembered after death. “Ultimately, consciousness requires the brain, but the brain does not function after death, so we do not experience reputation or remembrance,” Barrington says. “Excessive worry about how we are remembered after death can cause loss of happiness and appreciation in the present. This can create dilemmas in future decision-making because fear of how we will be remembered may lead to hesitation in behavior.”
Kimberly Wade-Benzoni at Duke University says, “You cannot fully control your legacy because how it is understood by others is in their hands.” However, thinking about legacy has positive effects, whether for loved ones or oneself. Wade-Benzoni and colleagues suggest that people should think about and write their legacy wishes as soon as possible. “When people contemplate their legacy, they are more likely to make decisions that benefit future generations,” she says.
This makes it easier for individuals to make decisions aligned with the legacy they want to leave throughout their lives. It also fosters a sense of altruism, such as environmental activism, property donation, or support for medical research. Industry leaders are also encouraged to consider opportunities for social contribution, not just profit. According to researchers, this offers benefits on two levels: providing meaning during life and granting a sense of “symbolic immortality” after death, which means maintaining a form of lasting presence beyond physical existence.
