Introducing LifeVault: A Major Milestone in Our Mission to Help Families

By Ron Gura, Empathy Co-Founder & CEOPublished on Oct 15, 2024

At Empathy, our mission has always been clear: to change the way the world deals with the loss of a loved one.

Since launching our at-need bereavement care product in 2021, Empathy has focused on transforming the way families manage loss. Our flagship product, which provides comprehensive support after the passing of a loved one, has already helped millions navigate the logistics, legal processes, and emotional hurdles that accompany bereavement. But as we continued our work, we realized that so many of the difficulties that families face could have been alleviated with additional support in helping loved ones prepare. So we set out to use these unique insights to build a new tool that makes legacy planning accessible, affordable, and easy to manage. 

Today, we’re proud to announce LifeVault™, a new product that empowers families to take control of their end-of-life and legacy planning.

With LifeVault, families can create and update essential documents like wills, healthcare directives, and funeral plans—all from a secure platform that integrates directly with trusted life insurance providers and financial institutions. It’s the natural next step in our journey, and it’s one we’re excited to share.

Why LifeVault, and Why Now?

The truth is that many Americans are woefully underprepared when it comes to estate planning: 67% of Americans have no estate plan at all. For many, the process feels too complex, too expensive, and too overwhelming to even begin. This is especially true for middle- and lower-income families, who often lack access to comprehensive financial planning services.

At Empathy, we believe that everyone deserves to have a plan in place for their loved ones. That’s why we created LifeVault—not just a product, but a part of our ongoing commitment to making sure families have everything they need at one of the hardest moments of their lives. 

A Collaborative Effort to Improve Lives

LifeVault is not just a standalone tool; it’s part of a larger ecosystem designed to support families through all aspects of loss. Our longstanding collaboration with companies like New York Life—the largest mutual life insurance company in the U.S.—has played a key role in shaping the product. As our initial design partner, New York Life helped ensure that LifeVault would not only meet the needs of individual families but also seamlessly integrate with the financial and insurance services they already trust.

By working hand-in-hand with these companies, we’re forging new ways for families to engage with legacy planning. LifeVault will be available through financial institutions and trusted advisors, blending innovative technology with human guidance to deliver clear support during challenging times. It thus addresses the needs of families across generations, bringing together the personalized care that older Americans rely on and the tech-driven solutions that their children are partial to.

A Major Milestone in Empathy’s Journey

The launch of LifeVault marks a pivotal moment in our company’s journey. 

Empathy has grown rapidly over the past few years, with our services now available to over 40 million people across the U.S. Through our partnerships with leading life insurance companies and Fortune 500 employers, we’ve helped redefine what it means to care for families during the hardest moments of their lives. With the launch of LifeVault, we’re taking that mission one step further, providing families with the tools to plan not just for today, but for the future.

What LifeVault Means for Families

Legacy planning doesn’t have to be a daunting or time-consuming process for families anymore. Instead, LifeVault offers a streamlined, secure experience that allows families to create, share, and update essential legal documents at their own pace, such as:

  • Last Will & Testament

  • Advance Healthcare Directive

  • Power of Attorney

  • Funeral Directive

The process is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, providing peace of mind for families that their wishes will be clearly communicated and carried out. 

What LifeVault Means for Financial Institutions

For financial institutions and life insurance carriers, LifeVault is a transformative tool designed to seamlessly integrate into the services that people already trust. As a white-labeled solution, LifeVault becomes an extension of an institution’s existing offerings, embedding itself directly into the customer experience. This allows financial institutions to offer their clients a comprehensive, personalized legacy planning solution—enhancing value without requiring clients to seek external services or manage separate accounts.

Unlike other players in this space who rely on referral links or third-party partnerships, Empathy’s business-to-business approach is built on genuine collaboration. By including LifeVault within the trusted platforms families already use, financial institutions can significantly improve engagement and provide more holistic support. This not only strengthens relationships with clients but also ensures that important legacy planning tools are actually used, rather than overlooked or procrastinated.

At Empathy, we take pride in partnering on this work. We believe in providing solutions that make a real impact, and LifeVault is a key part of that effort. By empowering financial institutions with this easy-to-use platform, we’re helping add meaningful value to their policies and services—ultimately making life’s toughest moments a little easier for the families they serve.

A Future Built on Care and Innovation

We believe in the power of technology to make people’s lives better. But we also know that when it comes to something as personal as legacy planning, technology alone isn’t enough. Families need care, empathy, and guidance to navigate these difficult moments, and we’re committed to providing that—whether through our app, our Care Team, or our partnerships with financial professionals.

LifeVault is a reflection of this commitment. It’s the latest example of how we’re using innovation not just to change industries, but to make real, meaningful differences in people’s lives. By helping families plan ahead, we’re ensuring that they can focus on what truly matters: their loved ones.

As we move forward, Empathy remains dedicated to supporting families in all aspects of loss—before, during, and after. We’re excited for what the future holds, and we’re proud to continue leading the way in transforming the way the world deals with loss.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. 

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