Why Choose Dead Man's Switch

Challenges of Traditional Methods

Methods for leaving messages to loved ones existed before Dead Man's Switch. However, each had its own challenges.

Method 1: Writing on Paper

Procedure:

Write message on paper
 ↓
Seal in envelope
 ↓
Store in safe or drawer
 ↓
Tell family where it's stored

Challenges:

• ❌ Updating is tedious - Must rewrite every time content changes
• ❌ Storage location forgotten - Unclear if family will remember after years
• ❌ Risk of loss/damage - Possibility of fire, flood, or loss
• ❌ Unclear timing - Difficult to determine when to open
• ❌ Can't send individual messages - Need separate envelopes for each person

Real Failure Example:

"My father said 'important things are in the safe,'
 but the safe only contained old documents, and
 the latest information was nowhere to be found"
 (50s, Female)

Method 2: Entrusting to a Third Party

Procedure:

Create message
 ↓
Entrust to close friend or lawyer
 ↓
Request "please deliver to family in case of emergency"

Challenges:

• ❌ Privacy concerns - Content might be revealed
• ❌ Third party might pass away first - Risk in entrusting to elderly relatives
• ❌ Burden on third party - Placing responsibility on someone else
• ❌ Costs involved - Lawyers charge storage fees
• ❌ Timing judgment - Difficult for holder to determine "emergency"

Real Failure Example:

"Entrusted to a friend, but that friend moved.
 Lost contact, and the message never arrived"
 (40s, Male)

Method 3: Including in Last Will

Procedure:

Create will
 ↓
Write message as supplementary note
 ↓
Store at notary office or home

Challenges:

• ❌ Takes time to disclose - Family court validation takes 1-2 months
• ❌ Urgent information delayed - Services requiring immediate cancellation
• ❌ Not suitable for emotional messages - Wills are legal documents
• ❌ Costs involved - Notarized wills cost tens of thousands of yen
• ❌ Updates are tedious - Must recreate document with each change

Method 4: Storing in Cloud Storage

Procedure:

Create message as text file
 ↓
Upload to Google Drive or Dropbox
 ↓
Share password with family

Challenges:

• ❌ Security risks - Pre-shared passwords might be accessed early
• ❌ Timing issues - Unclear when to access
• ❌ No automatic sending - Requires family to proactively access
• ❌ Account freezing - Accounts may be frozen upon confirmed death

7 Reasons Dead Man's Switch is Chosen

Reason 1: Reliable Delivery

Problems with Traditional Methods:

• Paper messages: Uncertain if they'll be found
• Third-party storage: Unclear if person can respond
• Wills: Takes time to disclose

Dead Man's Switch Solution:

No login for set period
 ↓
Email automatically sent
 ↓
Reliably reaches recipient

Delivery logs ensure high reliability

User Testimonial:

"I travel overseas frequently, so having
 messages automatically reach family in emergencies
 gives me peace of mind"
 (40s, Office Worker)

Reason 2: Easy Updates Anytime

Comparison with Paper Messages:

【Paper Method】
Rewrite → Put in envelope → Store → Dispose of old one
Time required: 30 minutes to 1 hour

【Dead Man's Switch】
Login → Edit → Save
Time required: 3 minutes

No burden even with frequent updates

Usage Examples:

・Add information immediately after registering for new services
・Update same day when changing bank accounts
・Rewrite messages when feelings change

Reason 3: Send Individual Messages to Multiple People

Premium Plan Feature:

Recipient 1: Spouse
  Subject: To my beloved ○○
  Content: All information (emotional messages + practical info)

Recipient 2: Children
  Subject: To my dear △△
  Content: Primarily emotional messages, minimal practical info

Recipient 3: Parents
  Subject: Dear Mom and Dad
  Content: Reassuring messages, minimal burden

Recipient 4: Business Partner
  Subject: Business Handover Request
  Content: Work-related information only

Recipient 5: Lawyer
  Subject: Legal Procedure Information
  Content: Asset list, contract information

Send appropriate content to each recipient

Reason 4: Prevent False Sending with Activity Verification

Difference from Other Auto-Send Services:

【Other Services】
Send on specific date (e.g., January 1, 2027)
 ↓
Sends even if still alive on that date
 ↓
Risk of false sending

【Dead Man's Switch】
Regular login → Sending postponed
 ↓
No sending while alive
 ↓
No worry of false sending

Reminder function prevents forgetting

• 3 days before deadline: 1st notification
• 1 day before deadline: 2nd notification
• After deadline: 24-hour grace period

Reason 5: Overwhelmingly Low Cost

Cost Comparison:

| Method | Initial Cost | Ongoing Cost | Total Cost (10 years) | |--------|-------------|--------------|---------------------| | Notarized Will | ¥30,000-100,000 | ¥0 | ¥30,000-100,000 | | Lawyer Storage | ¥10,000+ | ¥10,000/year | ¥110,000+ | | Dead Man's Switch Free | ¥0 | ¥0 | ¥0 | | Dead Man's Switch Premium | ¥0 | ¥100/month | ¥12,000 |

Outstanding cost performance

Reason 6: High Security

Security Features:

1. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
   → Prevent unauthorized access

2. Secure Login (dedicated URL)
   → Reduce password leak risks

3. Data Encryption
   → Encrypt both transmission and storage

4. Access Log Recording
   → Immediately detect unauthorized access

5. Regular Security Token Regeneration
   → Ensure long-term security

Safer than paper storage

• Resistant to fire and flood (cloud storage)
• Lower theft risk
• No worry of loss

Reason 7: Start Immediately When Motivated

Time Required to Start:

【Notarized Will Case】
Schedule appointment at notary office
 ↓ Several days to weeks
Prepare required documents
 ↓ Several days
Create at notary office
 ↓ Several hours
Complete
Total time: 2 weeks to 1 month


【Dead Man's Switch Case】
Account registration (3 minutes)
 ↓
Create message (10 minutes)
 ↓
Set recipient (2 minutes)
 ↓
Complete
Total time: 15 minutes

"Someday" becomes "today"

Real Usage Scenarios

Scenario 1: Office Worker on Solo Assignment (45, Male)

Challenge:

• Living away from family
• Can't respond immediately in emergencies
• Concerned about work handover

Dead Man's Switch Application:

Check interval: 3 days
Recipient 1: Wife (all information)
Recipient 2: Company supervisor (work information)

Message content:
・Bank account list
・Life insurance policy numbers
・Password manager master password
・Work handover information
・Client contact information

Effect: "Regular logins have increased my health awareness. My family feels reassured too"

Scenario 2: Daughter with Elderly Parent (55, Female)

Challenge:

• Worried about mother (80) living alone
• Doesn't know her doctors or medications
• Wants emergency contact information

Dead Man's Switch Application:

Mother registers account
Check interval: 7 days

Message content:
・Primary doctor's contact information
・List of current medications
・Allergy information
・Regular pharmacy
・Neighbor contact information
・Preferred funeral home

Effect: "I can confirm my mother logs in weekly, which is reassuring. Knowing emergency procedures is very helpful"

Scenario 3: Freelance Web Designer (32, Female)

Challenge:

• Managing multiple clients
• Projects with deadlines
• Digital data scattered across locations

Dead Man's Switch Application:

Check interval: 5 days
Recipient 1: Business partner
Recipient 2: Family

Message content:
・List of ongoing projects
・Client contact list
・Design data storage locations
・Various account login information
・Contract storage locations

Effect: "Peace of mind knowing I won't inconvenience clients. Organizing information improved my work management"

Scenario 4: Overseas Resident (38, Male)

Challenge:

• Living away from Japanese family
• Difficult to contact due to time difference
• Worried about overseas accidents or illness

Dead Man's Switch Application:

Check interval: 14 days (set longer)
Recipient: Family in Japan

Message content:
・Local Japanese embassy contact
・Overseas insurance information
・Local friend contacts
・Bank accounts (Japan and overseas)
・Passport information

Effect: "Even overseas, simply logging in regularly brings peace of mind to family"

Who Should Choose Dead Man's Switch

✅ Recommended for These People

1. Busy Modern People

• No time to create a will
• Want to start with a simple method
• Want to complete everything on smartphone

2. Digital Natives

• Use computers or smartphones daily
• Comfortable with cloud services
• Use online banking

3. Living Away from Family

• Solo assignments
• Living alone
• Overseas residents

4. Self-Employed/Freelancers

• Managing client information
• Need work handover
• Lots of digital data

5. Senior Generation

• Don't want to worry children
• Want to reliably convey important information
• Want to use for regular safety confirmation

⚠️ Consider Wills in These Cases

• Multiple heirs needing clear asset distribution
• Large assets like real estate
• Want to definitely prevent inheritance disputes
• Need legal validity

However, even in these cases: Combining with Dead Man's Switch is recommended

• Will: Legal asset distribution
• Dead Man's Switch: Emotional messages and practical information

Start with the Free Plan

What the Free Plan Offers:

• Message creation and editing
• Automatic sending to one recipient
• Flexible check interval setting
• Two-factor authentication
• Secure login

Cases Where Free Plan is Sufficient:

• One recipient (spouse or family)
• Basic information sharing purpose
• No file attachments needed

When to Consider Premium Upgrade:

• Want to send individual messages to multiple people
• Want to attach important documents (PDF)
• Need more advanced features

Summary: Peace of Mind Starts Today

Dead Man's Switch is a modern solution that addresses the challenges of traditional methods.

Summary of Reasons Chosen:

1. Reliable automatic delivery
2. Easy updates anytime
3. Individual messages to multiple people
4. Activity verification system prevents false sending
5. Overwhelmingly low cost
6. High security
7. Convenience to start today

What You Can Do Now:

1. Create free account (3 minutes)
2. Write simple message (10 minutes)
3. Set recipient (2 minutes)
4. Decide check interval (1 minute)

Total: 16 minutes to complete

Not "someday," but "today." Peace of mind for loved ones can start today.

---

Related Articles:

• How Dead Man's Switch Works and How to Use It
• What Dead Man's Switch Free Plan Can Do
• What is Digital End-of-Life Planning? Getting Started Guide