Some information matters because it is personal. A favorite song, a meaningful tradition, or the story behind a keepsake may help someone understand what is important to you.
The Wishes & preferences category can hold that context. It is important, however, to distinguish a personal explanation from a legal instruction.
Write the preference and the reason
“This photograph matters to me because it was taken at our first family reunion” carries more meaning than “Keep this photograph.” A little context helps your loved one understand the significance without treating the guide as a document that controls ownership.
You might describe meaningful music, a community connection, family customs, or small practical preferences. Choose the details you actually want someone to know rather than trying to answer every possible question.
Avoid wording that claims authority
Do not rely on your guide to distribute property, appoint a decision-maker, or change a will or other legal document. If a wish needs formal effect, discuss it with a qualified professional and make the appropriate arrangements separately.
Where relevant, point to the location of those records or the contact who can explain them. The guide can help someone find them; it does not replace them.
Keep personal words separate from practical tasks
A personal message might express love, reassurance, or gratitude. An instruction might explain where to find a meaningful object. Keeping those purposes distinct can make both easier to read.
For example: “The family recipe cards are in the wooden box on the kitchen shelf. Several include notes about the people who shared them.” That leaves useful context without making a legal claim about what must happen to the box.
Review this section when your preferences change. It is fine to remove an idea that no longer feels right. The purpose is to help someone understand you, with words that are warm, clear, and honest about the guide's practical role.