I also have created a thread similar to this years ago. All I'm going to say here is be careful when disclosing your situation about bitcoin with loved ones, it is a very touchy subject. Whenever money is involved then there's some precaution that you must think about even if it's with the person you love or wife.
I don't want to turn this thread into the dark but let's be honest here guys, most of the murders around the world happen for a man or a woman, and years later with the investigation, it turns out to be the spouse that did it to gain something. I know its sad but this is reality. I am not saying all spouses do this but more times than you may think whenever the husband or wife discloses to their loved ones about "Life insurance" if the gain is big then suddenly we see that person dead. Please don't mistake what I am trying to say here I know it's not ALL THE TIME. But I've seen many many many stories about a homicide and then later on we found that the poor man had life insurance then the wife killed him for that money. It's sad but happens ALOT.
Ok, so what's the msg I am trying to say here is. Do not tell the wife/husband how much you got in bitcoins, if you're a girl or a man and want to leave your bitcoin for your family after you're dead just leave a full paper with instructions as some of the guys posted previously. Instruction of how to get the money out of your wallet or exchange, plus a person to contact which you know that he/she knows something about cryptos. Also don't tell that person whom you added to contact about this paper, basically tell nobody just do the paper with instruction & contact personal and leave it in a vault. Rest assured that this vault will be opened when you are dead.
Thats my 2 cents.
If I die (let's be honest, that will probably happen), would my wife or family get my coins? What if they don't know my passwords/private key?
If you have not told them your private keys to your spouse or kids, and if you die, then those coins will be lost forever and no one will be able to use them. If you want that your wife and kids benefit from your saving, you need to trust them and share with them the private keys. You may keep them private in a locked safe and tell your spouse to open them if only once you are no longer alive.
I understand that you mean well here but this is a death sentence. Read my post above which I explain how that could be in a long msg, but please do not do this especially if you own a lot of bitcoins.
Some people may feel touchy that I said telling secrets to your "kids & wife" as a death sentence because they love them a lot and they feel that their wife&kids love them too a lot! Believe me, I understand this, but human beings are complicated.