dying wish; wishes of the deceased
Refers to the will or wishes left by someone who has passed away, often used in formal or solemn contexts.
He became a doctor, carrying on his father's dying wish.
In accordance with the deceased's wishes, the funeral was held with only family present.
The family respected their father's dying wish and continued the donations.
He continued his research in order to fulfill his mentor's dying wish.
遺志 and 意志 are pronounced identically but 遺志 means the wishes left by someone who has died, while 意志 means a living person's will or determination.
Compound of 遺 (leave behind) and 志 (will, intention). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning is transparent from the kanji.