Estrella Quiroz
Estrella Quiroz is the Co-Founder & CEO of Last Farewells, an end of life planning platform that helps people create and schedule last letters, videos, and a personalized memorial page that will get delivered to their loved ones after their passing. Inspired by her own dad's last voicemail, their mission is to fill the emotional gap in end of life planning and ensure no words are left unspoken.
What was the catalyst for you stepping into this work? How did you end up here, at this moment, doing what you do?
My father passed away with nothing, yet he left me a gift worth billions. Despite having no money, property, or job, he gave me something unexpected and priceless – his last voicemails. In those messages, he sang me happy birthday, wished a million angels to look after me, and assured me that things would soon change. A man who left this world with “nothing” somehow managed to give me “everything” I needed for my grief journey.
Choosing an entrepreneurship journey “in death” was inspired by his voicemails after his unexpected passing. Upon learning my story, my former CEO Troy invited me to become his co-founder for Last Farewells. It was then that I knew I had found my new purpose of helping people in their journey with grief.
What do you hope people get from working with you or interacting with your services?
Last Farewells is an end-of-life planning platform that focuses on emotional planning. We help people create their last letters, videos, audio messages, and digital legacies, which are delivered to their loved ones after they pass. My wish is that everyone can have a meaningful message like mine, something that can be a silver lining during their darkest times.
These messages can be scheduled for future milestones like birthdays, weddings, and more.
We envision making this platform accessible in 100+ languages and dialects, so that billions worldwide have the opportunity to leave a Last Farewells. Our goal is to democratize access to a service that offers comfort, closure, and inspiration to individuals and families across all backgrounds in their native language. I hope that people feel empowered to leave no words left unspoken.
What do you wish was different about the way we are supported when dying, grieving, and navigating end-of-life in general? What would you change?
When we think of end-of-life planning, we often picture wills, life insurance, estate plans, or trusts. These are crucial, but they mainly cater to a certain economic class. There’s a vast, underserved community that doesn’t plan for end-of-life because they feel they have nothing to leave so there is no point in spending hundreds or thousands on estate planning. My own mom included, as a housekeeper, she would never think to plan for the end of life. This misconception—that not having material wealth means having nothing to give—is what we aim to change. Words alone hold incredible power. A last message to a loved one can be read, listened or watched over and over throughout the years. I wish the emotional component was highlighted more so people can see the value their life holds. I personally would add this as a course to all educational curriculums so that people do not fear the topic, but embrace it.
What would you say to someone who is nervous about attending events about death or grief?
In thinking constantly about death, I have chosen to live more meaningfully. To those attending events about death or grief, I would say that being open to these topics can really help you make the changes you need in life - job changes, pursuing dreams, crossing off bucket list items, forgiving others, and more! Personally, after my dad passed, I was inspired to find a way to travel. I went to college, majored in Tourism and was able to travel across 50+ countries. I have turned my grief into purpose, and I encourage others to be open to shifts in their life. People who attend death and grief events have very similar mindsets and often have more empathy. It is a safe space for many to make new connections and learn something new.
If someone meets you at the resource fair - what's a question you invite them to ask you?
Ask me anything, I am an open book. Or ask me for advice on how to use death / grief as an inspiration to find ways to celebrate life more. I can provide guidance on party theme ideas, bucket list items, celebration of life ideas for those who have passed and more! If anything, just pass by and we can share our stories with each other.
