Every Sim will eventually face the end of their journey, and no expansion pack explores this theme like The Sims 4: Life & Death. This addition lets Sims prepare for when the Grim Reaper arrives, allowing them to set aside items they wish to pass down to loved ones.
When you turn an item into an Heirloom in The Sims 4: Life & Death, you can determine what will happen to it after your Sim’s passing. This feature enables you to keep various items in the family for generations, regardless of how quirky some of them may be.
How Do Heirlooms Work?
In The Sims 4 with the Life & Death expansion, you’ll quickly find that most items in Buy Mode can be designated as Heirlooms. By clicking on an item, you’ll often have the option to mark it as an Heirloom. This means if your Sim cherishes an item, you can decide who will inherit it when your Sim is gone.
In fact, the list of items that cannot become Heirlooms is quite short. When you look at an item’s details in Build/Buy mode, you’ll see which items are eligible to become Heirlooms once they’re placed. These can include a variety of items such as hobby-related objects (like skill-building tools), pieces from different collections (including things like tarot cards), crafted items, decorative objects, and more. Additionally, Sims who have advanced far in their Soul’s Journey may have more options for what they can leave behind as Heirlooms.
Once you’ve designated an item as an Heirloom, everything stays pretty straightforward while your Sim is still alive. You can Claim Higher Value on these items, which means that if your heir chooses to sell the item after your Sim’s death, they could get a better price for it. You can also add a special engraving on an Heirloom through the Heirloom menu, ensuring that a message is preserved with that item for as long as it’s part of your game save.
How To Pass On An Heirloom
Your Sim retains possession of the Heirloom until their time to go comes. Upon their passing, Heirloom items will disappear from the lot or family inventory. They will then be sent in the mail to the designated recipient along with a copy of your Sim’s will. To claim the Heirlooms and any potential inheritance, the recipient will need to read the will aloud when it arrives.
Once a Sim Receives an Heirloom
After receiving an Heirloom, the new owner has several interactions available. They can Call Upon Sim to summon the original owner (assuming that Sim hasn’t been reborn in the game), as well as Think About Original Owner to reflect on the individual who passed the item to them. These actions can create various emotional responses that depend on the relationship between the two Sims.
If money is tight, these Sims can also choose to Pawn Heirloom for cash, with the amount based on the value claimed when the Heirloom was designated.
This unique interaction with Heirlooms enriches gameplay, allowing players to experience a deeper emotional connection to their Sims’ legacies.