Each relationship in your life is unique, shaped by shared experiences, inside jokes, ongoing conversations, and different levels of intimacy. Your final message should honor those distinctions and speak to each person in the language of your specific connection with them.

Messages to friends often capture the lighter side of your personality—shared adventures, mutual support through difficult times, appreciation for their role in keeping you grounded and joyful. These messages celebrate the chosen family you built together. Friend messages might reference specific adventures, running jokes, the ways they challenged you to grow, or simply the comfort of their presence during life's ups and downs. Consider different approaches for childhood friends versus work friends versus neighbors—each relationship deserves its own authentic voice.

For parents, you might express gratitude for their sacrifices, acknowledge how their guidance shaped you, and share what you learned from watching them navigate life's challenges. These messages can heal old wounds, express appreciation you may have struggled to voice while living, and acknowledge the complex beauty of parent-child relationships. Professional relationships— colleagues, mentors, employees—call for messages that recognize shared accomplishments, professional growth, and mutual respect while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Remember, there's no template that can capture your unique relationship with each person. Use frameworks as starting points, but let your genuine feelings and memories guide what you ultimately choose to share. Consider the practical aspects too—will this person want detailed guidance or simple reassurance? Are they someone who processes grief through humor or quiet reflection? Your message template should match not just your relationship history, but also how you believe they'll need to receive your final words. Some relationships call for brief, powerful statements; others deserve longer, more detailed communications that can serve as ongoing sources of comfort and guidance.

JP, Luca, CJ, 8, and Summer