Here are trustworthy options and how to choose among them — short descriptions, pros/cons, and security/legal tips so you can pick the right one for creating and delivering legacy (posthumous or future) messages.

Top platforms (what they do)

• Dead Man’s Switch / DeadMansSwitch (deadmansswitch.net & deadmansswitch.email) — classic “dead man’s switch” services that send prewritten email(s) to recipients if you stop checking in. Good for simple, automated delivery with periodic life-check reminders. Pros: simple, widely used; Cons: mostly email-only and subject to the service’s reliability/terms. (deadmansswitch.net)

• FutureMe — schedule letters/emails to yourself or others on a chosen future date (short- or long-term). Good for time‑capsule messages, anniversaries, or sending a message years later; less focused on “after death” mechanics. Pros: easy, free tier, app; Cons: limited legal/estate features. (FutureMe.com)

• GoodTrust (Future Messages) — end-of-life / digital‑legacy platform that now includes scheduled “future messages” (text, video, photos) and broader digital-account/estate tools. Good if you want messaging + account-management in one place. (mygoodtrust.com)

• Cake / Everplans — broader end‑of‑life planning services that let you document wishes and (depending on the product) add messages or memorial content. Better when you want messaging as part of a full estate/funeral/legacy plan rather than a standalone delivery service. (wired.com)

• Sarcophagus (crypto / decentralized dead‑man’s‑switch) — for crypto wallets or encrypted files that should be released on inactivity or at death. Use if you need a decentralized, blockchain‑based delivery for encrypted assets. Requires crypto knowledge. (wired.com)

When to use each type

• Simple personal goodbyes/time capsules: FutureMe or GoodTrust’s Future Messages. (FutureMe.com)
• Automatic posthumous delivery (life‑check model): Dead Man’s Switch / Deadmansswitch.email. (deadmansswitch.net)
• Full digital legacy + legal/account access: GoodTrust, Cake, Everplans (combine messaging with wills, password/asset storage). (mygoodtrust.com)
• Crypto or heavily encrypted files: Sarcophagus or similar decentralized solutions. (wired.com)

Key pros/cons to weigh

• Reliability & longevity: Check how long the company has operated, uptime/backup practices, and whether it guarantees delivery or merely “will try.” Free/cheap services may not be around long. (deadmansswitch.net)
• Delivery methods: Email only vs. email + SMS + social media + physical print options. Pick what your recipients actually use. (mygoodtrust.com)
• Security & privacy: Prefer services that offer encryption at rest/in transit and clear privacy policies. For sensitive data, use end‑to‑end encrypted storage or local encrypted copies in addition to any online service. (deadmansswitch.net)
• Legal weight: These services are usually not a legal substitute for a will/trust; important legal instructions and asset transfers must be handled through estate planning documents and executors/attorneys. (deadmansswitch.net)

Practical checklist before you sign up

1. Confirm delivery method(s) (email/SMS/social/media/print).
2. Verify security: encryption, authentication, data retention, and deletion policies.
3. Read TOS about reliability and whether the company disclaims guarantees (many do). (deadmansswitch.net)
4. Combine with legal estate documents — name an executor/trusted contact who has legal authority to manage accounts.
5. Keep a local, encrypted backup of anything critical (account passwords, bank details, important documents).
6. Test with a non‑critical message (send a future/delayed message to yourself or a willing friend) to confirm delivery behavior.

Cost notes

• Many services offer a free tier (FutureMe, basic dead‑man switch options) and paid tiers for extra recipients, SMS reminders, file attachments, longer retention, or estate features. Check current pricing on each site before committing. (FutureMe.com)

Quick recommendation based on goals

• Pure emotional legacy messages (letters/videos): FutureMe or GoodTrust Future Messages. (FutureMe.com)
• Automated “send if I stop checking in”: Dead Man’s Switch / Deadmansswitch.email. (deadmansswitch.net)
• Combine messaging with full digital‑asset management and legal planning: GoodTrust, Cake, Everplans. (mygoodtrust.com)
• Crypto or encrypted file release: Sarcophagus or specialized crypto dead‑man solutions. (wired.com)

If you want, I can:

• compare 3 specific services side‑by‑side (features, security, pricing) if you name which ones; or
• draft a secure message template (short goodbye, practical notes, passwords/where things are) that’s appropriate for delivery after death.

Which of those would you like next?