A Sincerely Yours digital memoir is a timeless, personal documentary of a life well lived.
Through a relaxed, conversational interview at home—woven together with family photographs, home videos, and beloved music—we create a living portrait that brings your loved one’s voice and story to life. One that can be cherished now and passed down for generations.
There is a quiet wealth in the lives of those we love. Stories shaped by everyday choices, relationships, humor, resilience, and heart—waiting to be preserved and shared.
When someone close to us is gone, what we miss most is often their voice. The stories they told. The memories we didn’t think to ask about until it was too late.
Often, it is adult children who first reach out to us—seeking a meaningful way to honour their parents while they are still here to tell their story. What begins as a gift becomes something shared: time set aside, attention given, stories told with ease—and often, a surprising amount of joy.
Sincerely Yours exists to make space for those stories—while there is still time.
You don’t need a remarkable résumé to have a remarkable story.
The moments we call “ordinary” are often the ones that hold the most meaning.
In fact, what we hear, again and again, is this: “I didn’t think I had a story to tell”.
Ordinary life doesn't get much attention.
But it's where people spend their time and make sense of things.
And it's what we miss the most when it's gone.
Because our digital memoirs are created in confidence, we cannot share finished films publicly.
Instead, this short documentary offers an honest window into the experience — from first conversation to final viewing — as told by the families who lived it.
As a concept author, stage director, award-winning choreographer, and producing director, I worked across countless creative collaborations—including 14 years with Cirque du Soleil—always in pursuit of excellence, emotion, and meaning.
But there was a quiet discomfort I couldn’t ignore.
While working around the world with remarkable people and cultures, I realized I had missed the opportunity to truly explore the lives of some of my own closest relatives before they passed away—including my grandmother and my husband’s parents. I longed to hear their voices again, to sit with them as they recounted their lives with their familiar blend of candor, humor, and reflection.
My professional focus began to shift. I felt a sincere calling to turn the lens around—to shine it not on performers or public stories, but on the people closest to us.
I reached out to my father’s sister—my aunt—in rural Manitoba, Canada, and asked if she would agree to be interviewed. At first, she hesitated. She worried her life had been “too ordinary” to record. Eventually, she said yes.
During our two hours together, I asked her simple questions: where she grew up, what her childhood bedroom looked like, her first job, her first love, the songs she played on repeat in high school, and why her family moved from the big house on the corner to a smaller one down the street in 1954.
I listened as my aunt shared stories I had heard before—and many I had never heard at all. I wove her words together with photographs and home videos, documentary-style. Then our family gathered to watch.
It was simply marvelous.
Seeing and hearing her—her distinctive laugh, the way her eyes lit up, the pauses she took to reflect—we understood something new. Her stories had not only shaped the woman she became; they had quietly shaped all of us.
When we strip away the lights and stagecraft, what remains is an extraordinary life history at our core. A raw, dynamic story—this is where our unique magic lives. Without stories, we cannot grow. Without stories, we cannot learn.
With passion and deep commitment, I now dedicate this chapter of my creative life to capturing and preserving—always with comfort, dignity, and collaboration—the rich life stories of those we love, to be enjoyed and shared now and for generations to come.
During our interview, my aunt mentioned that her favorite singer was Vera Lynn, the British chanteuse whose voice became a source of comfort during the wartime years. As I later learned, Vera Lynn once hosted a radio program in the UK in the 1940s called Sincerely Yours.
A woman. Her own radio show. Wartime. Curiosity.
That discovery stayed with me. It felt like an invitation.
And that is how Sincerely Yours came to be.
Thank you, Auntie Gail. Stay curious.
A Sincerely Yours digital memoir captures the life story of someone you love through a relaxed, semi-structured interview—most often filmed in the comfort of home, or wherever your loved one feels most at ease, using cinematic-quality 4K video. When needed, interviews can also be conducted remotely via a high-definition online platform.
At the heart of each memoir is your loved one’s voice and presence. Their stories are thoughtfully woven together with family photographs, home videos, and music to create a deeply personal, documentary-style film.
Your family receives a high-quality digital file (MP4), accessible through our secure, private Sincerely Yours platform—making it easy to view, share, and preserve for generations.
Interviews typically last approximately two-three hours, resulting in a finished memoir of 45 to 120 minutes.
From interview to final delivery, the process generally takes three to five months, depending on scope and collaboration details discussed during our initial conversations.
Each memoir is created with care, flexibility, and respect for comfort at every step.
Digital life storytelling brings together the oldest form of connection—oral storytelling—with the power of visual and sensory experience. Hearing a loved one speak, seeing their expressions, and sensing their presence creates a feeling that written words alone cannot: as if they are in the room with you.
Interview Benefits
Research shows that speaking in one’s own voice carries greater emotional impact than written text. For many individuals, the simple act of reminiscing can stimulate memory, strengthen a sense of self, and foster pride and well-being¹. We believe the most authentic way to capture a life story is through conversation—spoken, seen, and felt.
Sharing Benefits
A Sincerely Yours digital memoir can be viewed anywhere in the world, on any smart device. Sharing a loved one’s story often sparks meaningful conversation, deepens understanding, and reveals how one person’s experiences quietly shape the identities of those who follow.
Preserved Over
A Sincerely Yours digital memoir is not a fleeting keepsake. It is a lasting record—one whose meaning and value deepen as years pass and generations change.
Every memoir we create is guided by a small set of unwavering principles:
We honor each individual for who they are, what they believe, and how they have lived—without judgment or agenda.
We listen without assumptions, allowing stories to unfold from the teller’s own perspective. The goal is not perfect historical accuracy, but authentic self-expression.
All memoirs are created for private use only. Interview content and client relationships are held in strict confidence.
Family collaboration is welcomed and valued, ensuring the memoir reflects both accuracy and the essence of the person at its center.
We’ve designed the process to be simple, flexible, and fully supported—so you and your loved one can focus on what matters, not logistics.
We begin with a gentle discovery call to understand your goals, priorities, and the broad brushstrokes of your loved one’s life—this conversation helps us thoughtfully shape the interview with context, sensitivity, and respect.
From there, we thoughtfully curate interview questions for your review and share them in advance. Many families find this stage surprisingly enjoyable—a chance to reflect, reminisce, and begin the journey before the camera ever turns on. The questions serve only as a guide; spontaneous conversation is always welcome.
The interview itself is a relaxed, conversation between your loved one and Sincerely Yours Founder, Krista Monson. It takes place wherever your loved one feels most at ease—most often at home, or remotely via a simple, high-definition online setup. There is nothing to prepare, rehearse, or get “right.” Just be yourself.
After the interview, we invite family collaboration. One or two point people typically help gather photographs, home videos, or meaningful keepsakes that bring the stories to life. We guide this process closely so it never feels overwhelming.
In post-production, we carefully review and shape the interview, removing any moments that feel unnecessary or uncomfortable. We then weave together your loved one’s voice with visuals and music to create a documentary-style memoir that feels honest, warm, and deeply personal.
You’ll receive access to a private, secure Sincerely Yours account, where you can review up to three drafts. Once approved, you’ll receive a high-definition digital file (MP4) to download, preserve, and share. Your memoir can be watched easily on phones, tablets, computers, or smart TVs—anywhere your family may be.
Most families tell us the process far simpler and—far more meaningful—than they imagined
Like a fingerprint, every life is unique.
Interview questions are thoughtfully customized—open enough to invite reflection, specific enough to spark memory. There are no right or wrong answers, only stories told from one’s own perspective.
Describe your earliest memory.
What did you do for fun as a child?
What did Saturday night look like for you as a teenager?
What did the first year of motherhood look like for you?
Did you raise your children in the same way as you were raised?
What was your first big purchase?
What is the biggest risk you ever took?
What is your greatest love story?
We do not offer pre-determined packages, because no two lives—and no two families—are the same.
Our pricing reflects the time, care, expertise, and production value required to thoughtfully honor a life fully lived. Each memoir is created with intention and craft, resulting in something whose meaning and value deepen over time.
For many families, this is a shared investment. Siblings and family members often choose to contribute together, making the experience both meaningful and accessible in a way that feels right for everyone involved.
We invite you to begin with a conversation. We’ll listen, understand your needs, and provide a clear, good-faith quote based on the scope that feels appropriate for your family.
Most families are surprised by how natural—and manageable—the process feels once we talk.
Every Sincerely Yours memoir is created in confidence.
No part of your documentary is ever shared, used, or viewed without your explicit consent. Your story belongs to you and your family alone—to keep, revisit, and share as you choose.
Our private, secure Sincerely Yours platform allows for safe, easy and encrypted access across devices. You remain fully in control of who can view your memoir and when.
Your story is treated with the same care and discretion we would expect for our own.
One of the most joyful parts of the process is inviting curiosity from the people who matter most.
When we curate interview questions, we often include thoughtful questions from grandchildren, children, or close friends—questions they’ve always wondered about, but may never have thought to ask. In our experience, these moments are especially meaningful. Older adults who feel hesitant “talking about themselves” often light up when they realize they’re answering questions for someone they love.
The result is often surprising: laughter, tenderness, and a deeper sense of connection—on both sides.
Thoughtfully integrated alongside the curated questions, these moments of genuine curiosity often add warmth and ease to the experience.
Many people begin by wondering whether their life is “not that special,” or whether they’ll feel comfortable sharing it at all. These feelings are natural—and they almost always soften once the conversation begins.
At Sincerely Yours, we believe every life holds meaning. What may feel ordinary to one person is often rich with perspective, humor, resilience, and lived experience to those who listen. Our role is simply to create the space for those stories to emerge.
Interviews are approached as respectful, attentive conversations—nothing more. Because the interviewer is not a family member, we’re able to listen with neutrality, curiosity, and care, allowing stories to unfold without assumptions or pressure.
We’re also mindful that comfort extends beyond the conversation itself. We take care to keep the process simple, accessible, and unhurried, offering support by phone or video-call before the interview so your loved one never feels overwhelmed.
Above all, this is a collaborative experience. We honor boundaries, welcome guidance around sensitivities, and move at a pace that feels right. Your loved one’s comfort, dignity, and sense of ease guide every step.
Most people tell us they’re surprised by how natural—and even enjoyable—the experience feels.
We understand how emotionally complex it can be for families who wish to preserve a loved one’s life story while navigating changes in memory.
We work closely with you to create a digital memoir that honors your loved one with care, patience, and dignity—meeting them exactly where they are. There is no expectation to remember everything, or to remember it “correctly.” What matters most is presence, expression, and being heard.
Research suggests that digital life storytelling supports mood, connection, and a sense of self, including for individuals experiencing memory change.¹
In our experience, families are often surprised—and moved—by the memories that resurface when a person is invited to reflect on their life as a whole. Moments, stories, and feelings from earlier years often emerge naturally, bringing meaning to both the individual and those who love them.
Every living memoir begins with listening. We invite you to reach out—whether you have a clear vision, a simple question, or are just beginning to explore the idea.
