- Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood? What were you like as a child?
- Can you tell me about your grandparents? Your great-grandparents?
- Tell me a favorite memory of me.
- Can you tell me about one of the most difficult moments in your life?
- Can you tell me about one or two people who have been the biggest influences on your life?
- Tell me about a teacher or other adult that had a big impact on your life while you were growing up.
- Can you tell me about one or two people that you remember who have been particularly kind to you in your life? If they were here what would you say to them?
- Of the people you’ve lost in your life, who do you miss the most? What is it about them that you miss?
- Can you tell me one of your happiest memories?
- Can you tell me about some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
- What are you proudest of—personally and professionally—in your life?
- What are you most grateful for?
- Is there anything you want to tell me now that you’ve never told me before?
- How has your life been different than how you imagined it would be when you were young?
- How would like to be remembered?
- Do you have any regrets?
- What are your hopes and wishes for me? For my children?
- Is there anything you want to ask me that you have never asked me before?
- If you knew this was going to be our last conversation, is there anything you’ve never told me that you want to share with me now?
- Thinking about your family many generations from now, and knowing that they may hear this recording, is there anything you want to say to them? Any wisdom or advice you would like to share?
- At the end of the interview, take a few moments to tell your interview partner what they mean to you.
- Tell me about something you regret having not done. Why haven’t you done it?
- Is there anything you regret having not told someone? Why haven’t you told them?
- Tell me about someone who has been kind to you. What made them so kind?
- Besides your closest family members, share with me some things you’re most grateful for.
- Tell me some of the important life lessons you have learned. How did you learn them?
- Which people most influenced your life personally? Professionally? Share examples of how they impacted you.
- Share with me some of your happiest memories.
- What have you accomplished so far—personally and professionally—that makes you proudest? Why?
- Share with me memories of times when things were difficult for you.
- Tell me a favorite memory of me.
- Tell me about a time in your life when things were not going your way. How were you able to persevere? How did things get better?
- How has your life been different than how you once imagined it would be?
- Tell me how you would like people to remember you.
- Do you have any regrets you’d like to share?
- Imagining your life years into the future, what do you see?
- What are your hopes and wishes for me and for my children?
- Ask me something that you are curious about but have never brought up with me before.
- If you knew this was going to be our last conversation, is there anything you have never said before that you now want to share with me?
- Thinking about your family many generations from now, and knowing that they may hear this recording, is there wisdom or advice you would like to share with them?
- Take time to tell your interview partner what they mean to you.
- What do you most regret having not done? Why haven’t you done it?
- What do you most regret having not told someone? Why haven’t you told them?
- Have you ever committed a random act of kindness?
- Can you tell me about one of the people who has been kindest to you in your life?
- What do you feel most grateful for in your life?
- What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life? How did you learn them?
- Can you tell me about someone who had a big influence on you life? Would you tell me about some of the most important lessons that person taught you?
- Can you describe one of your happiest memories?
- Can you tell me about one of your most difficult memories?
- Do you have a favorite memory of me?
- What are you proudest of? Why does it make you feel proud?
- What is one of your greatest accomplishments in life?
- Can you remember a time in your life when you felt alone?
- How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?
- How would you like to be remembered?
- Do you have any regrets?
- If you were to die suddenly this evening, what would you most regret having not told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?
- If you were to die suddenly this evening, what would you most regret not having done? Why haven’t you done it?
- What does your future hold?
- What are your hopes for what the future holds for me? For my children?
- If this was to be our very last conversation, is there anything you’d want to say to me?
- For your great great grandchildren listening to this years from now: is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to them? What would you want them to know?
- Is there anything that you’ve never told me but want to tell me now?
- Is there something about me that you’ve always wanted to know but have never asked?
- Turn the tables: tell the person you’re interviewing what they’ve meant to you.