Letters That Last™
Their Voice. Their Story. Forever.
We help families preserve a loved one’s voice through a calm, guided conversation, creating a lasting audio keepsake for generations.
What Families Tell Us
Nearly every family we work with says some version of this...
I wish I had recorded my dad's voice.
I can't remember exactly how my mom's laugh sounded.
There are so many stories I never asked about, and now it's too late.
We hear this every day.
Photographs capture a moment.
Letters capture thoughts.
But nothing preserves presence like the sound of someone’s voice. Their tone. Their pauses. The way only they tell a story.
Most families intend to record their parent or grandparent "someday."
But someday becomes never.
And what's lost can never be recovered.
How We Preserve Their Legacy
Simple. Dignified. Professionally Done.
We Learn What Matters Most
(30-minute call with you)
Before we meet your loved one, we talk with you.
What stories matter most?
What questions have you always wanted to ask?
What do you want your children and grandchildren to know?
This ensures we ask the right questions and honor what's truly important to your family.
The Legacy Conversation
(45-60 minutes, via virtual call)
We guide your loved one through a thoughtful conversation about their life, the moments that shaped them, the wisdom they've gathered, the people they've loved.
This isn't an interrogation. It's a conversation that feels natural, unhurried, and safe.
We’ve guided people in their late 80s and 90s through this process, many of whom were unsure about technology.
If they can video chat with grandkids, they can do this.
You Receive the Forever Archive (within 2 weeks)
We transform the raw conversation into a professionally edited legacy podcast, their voice, their stories, their wisdom, preserved in studio-quality audio.
You'll receive:
A 20-30 minute edited podcast (the highlights)
The complete unedited conversation (full archive)
A written transcript (searchable and printable)
A beautifully designed Legacy Letter (2-page summary of their core wisdom)
Everything delivered digitally AND in a physical keepsake package
The Essential Legacy Experience
This experience is designed to be simple for families and meaningful for generations.
We handle the details so you can stay present.
Preparation
So the conversation feels thoughtful, not rushed.
Family Pre-Consultation
(30 minutes)
We learn about your loved one and prepare the questions that matter most.
The Conversation
A calm, guided space to reflect and share.
Professional Legacy Interview
(45–60 minutes, virtual)
A guided conversation conducted with care, patience, and depth.
What You Receive
Preserved with intention.
Delivered with care.
Edited Legacy Podcast
(20–30 minutes)
The story of their life, professionally edited and preserved in high-quality audio.Complete Conversation Archive
Full unedited recording, written transcript, and all raw files.The Legacy Letter
(3 printed copies)
A two-page distillation of their wisdom, beautifully designed and suitable for framing.Digital Family Portal
Private streaming access, easy sharing, and downloadable files.Physical Keepsake Package
Custom USB drive with all files, presentation box, and printed letter.
For Hospice, Social Workers, and Estate Professionals
We partner with professionals who serve families during significant life transitions.
If you work in hospice care, palliative care, social work, elder law, or estate planning, we can become a resource for the families you serve.
How it works:
You refer families who want legacy preservation
We handle everything (consultation, recording, production, delivery)
Families receive a meaningful heirloom
You receive gratitude for offering something most don't
We understand the sensitivity required at life's end.
We've worked with dozens of families facing terminal diagnoses, and we approach every conversation with the dignity and patience it deserves.
We do not require staff coordination beyond a referral. Families work directly with us.
Or send us an email: hello [at] lettersthatlast.com
Is This Right for Your Family Right Now?
This is for you if:
Your parent or grandparent is still able to share their story (memory and speech intact enough for conversation)
You want to preserve their voice, not just write down facts
You know time is limited, whether due to age, illness, or just life's unpredictability
You want something your children and grandchildren will treasure, not store in a box
You value depth over perfection (real stories, not polished performances)
This might NOT be right if:
Your loved one has advanced dementia and cannot engage in conversation (we can refer you to other memory preservation services)
You're looking for a quick, cheap solution (this is an investment in your family's legacy)
You want a video production (we focus on audio—it's more intimate and timeless)
A Mission Rooted in Legacy
I started Letters That Last™ after losing most of the voice messages I had from my dad.
Once they were gone, I realized how easily a person’s presence can slip away. Not just their words, but the sound of their voice, their humor, their energy.
That experience shaped the foundation of this work. It led me to design a way of recording stories that feels calm, respectful, and human, and to train others to guide these conversations with the same care.
Today, Letters That Last works with seniors and individuals in their later years through a small team of carefully selected facilitators.
Each conversation is guided with patience and intention, and preserved as a lasting audio keepsake for the people who love them.
If you’d like to offer this for someone you love, we’d be honored to walk you through what it looks like.
Kary Youman
Founder, Letters That Last™
Here’s what families say after the conversation is complete.
"I waited until my dad was 89 to do this. I'm so grateful we didn't wait any longer. Hearing his voice tell the story of how he met my mom, I'll treasure that forever. My kids will too."
— Sarah M., daughter
"We did this for my grandmother three months before she passed. The hospice social worker recommended it. It was the best gift we could have given ourselvesand her. She loved being asked about her life."
— Michael T., grandson
"I was skeptical about doing this over Zoom, but it felt so natural. [Your name] asked questions that really opened up my mom's memory. She told stories I'd never heard, and I've known her my whole life."
— Jennifer L., daughter
Common Questions
A: This is the most common thing we hear. And it's never true. Every life has moments worth preserving, not for the history books, but for the people who love them. We help them see that.
A: That’s completely okay. These conversations move at the pace of the person sharing their story. If your loved one becomes tired, emotional, or needs to stop, we pause. If something changes and you need to reschedule, we do. There is no pressure to “push through” or finish in one sitting. Our priority is creating a calm, respectful experience that honors where your loved one is that day. We’ll work with you to find the right time and approach.
A: If they can video chat with grandkids, they can do this. We guide them step by step. In over a dozen conversations, we've only had one person who couldn't use Zoom and we switched to phone only audio. It still worked beautifully.
A: From initial call to final delivery: about 3 weeks.
Week 1: We schedule and conduct both calls (family + legacy conversation)
Week 2: We edit and produce everything
Week 3: You receive the complete package
If there's urgency (hospice situation, declining health), we can expedite.
A: We take breaks. We slow down. We skip questions if needed. This is not a performance, it's a conversation. If they need to stop, we stop. Their comfort is more important than "completing" anything.
A: Yes. Family members can join the conversation (additional fee applies), or we can do separate interviews and weave them together. We're flexible.
A: This is the hardest reality we face. If you're thinking about doing this, don't wait. Time is the one thing we can't get back.
A: Yes. We've worked with many families in hospice care. We understand the sensitivity and time constraints. We can often complete everything within 1-2 weeks if needed.
Don't Wait for Someday
Someday becomes never.
Today becomes forever.
If you're reading this, you already know their story matters. You already know time is precious.
Most families tell us they’re grateful they didn’t wait.
Book a free 30-minute consultation.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a conversation about preserving what matters most to your family.
Or send us an email: hello [at] lettersthatlast.com
We typically respond within 24 hours.
Letters That Last™
A private legacy experience for families who want to protect their stories while their loved ones are still here to share them.
© 2026 Letters That Last™ All Rights Reserved
Reserve priority access
We open a limited number of spots each quarter for families who want to preserve the voice, memories and wisdom of someone they love.
We respect your privacy. Your email remains secure and will only be used for priority access updates.