A Lasting Legacy
A Lasting Legacy
A family's legacy extends far beyond material possessions or wealth. It's a tapestry of pictures, traditions, videos and stories that weave together to form our roots. These threads are our heritage.
They shape the experiences of future generations, whether they know it or not. By preserving and more importantly sharing these precious memories, we create a treasure for future generations.
"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."
Marcus Tullius Cicero
A lost tape of memories
A few years after my dad died I found an old dv tape I made of a hike we did in the North Yorkshire Dales. It was at least 20 years old. I had just got my first camera with a student loan and wanted to try it out, so I took it on a hike with my dad and my brother.
Anyway, I’d long forgotten about this tape but when I found it and managed to digitise and view it, it was such a treasure. Something that was at the time, an experiment in using a new camera, became a precious memory for my family.
It had compounded over those years, gaining value and meaning. It gave us all great comfort to hear and see our dad again, in his relative youth, talking and walking, telling stories and showing us the way. It briefly brought him back to us and that footage is worth its weight in gold.
This is just a small example of the value of preserving videos, stories and photos and what Lasting Legacy is all about.
The importance of preservation
In the digital age, preserving precious family memories has never been easier. From old photographs tucked away in dusty albums to home videos capturing moments frozen in time, these artefacts serve as windows into our past.
When family stories aren’t passed from one generation to the next, they often disappear; as if whole lives never existed. While names and dates can usually be retrieved from public records and perhaps a photo or two the rest is “in the wind.”
Sorrows, hilarity, quirks, anecdotes, everyday achievements, and life lessons; all help capture someone's life and character. These things only survive in the stories that are passed from one generation to the next.
Preserving this history is a great way to celebrate the life of your loved one. The process of curating it is a rewarding way to come together and remember. Additionally, it leaves your family and future generations something truly special to treasure.
Not many people can tell the story of their great, great grandparents. Leaving a legacy doesn't have to be about money or accomplishments - a lasting legacy can be as simple as saving and sharing the stories and imagery of someone’s life. Ideally, it helps to tell stories that link to the images and video you have, to make it more engaging for the viewer.
The cornerstones of family legacy
At Lasting Legacy, we are dedicated to helping families capture and share these precious memories through our memorial film service.
From cultural holidays to family recipes and cherished heirlooms, these traditions not only connect us to our roots but also convey a sense of belonging and continuity, even as families evolve and adapt over time.
The power of these stories and films lies not only in their ability to capture a moment in time but also in their capacity to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and foster deeper connections within the family, now and in the future.
Our family history is the thread that binds us together. As we reflect on the importance of preserving our heritage and traditions, let us remember that the true value of legacy lies not in the objects we leave behind but in the stories we pass down and the lessons we learn. At its core, it helps cut through and capture what family is all about.
Here are some further resources which speak about leaving a legacy:
BetterUp - Leaving a legacy: How to make a lasting impression
LinkedIn - The Importance of Leaving a Legacy and How You Can Do
Forbes - Lasting connections: the importance of leaving a legacy