The Rise of AI‑generated Obituaries

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping everything from customer service to creative writing, even one of the most delicate human traditions—writing obituaries—is undergoing transformation.

How It Works

Companies like Passare and Tribute have introduced AI tools that generate personalized obituaries within minutes. These systems use structured data (like name, age, profession, hobbies, family members, and cause of death) to produce clean, readable obits, often requiring minimal human input.

Using AI in this space promises efficiency, particularly for funeral homes that handle dozens of memorials each week. With just a few clicks, families can receive a draft obituary that saves them the emotional strain of writing during grief.

Why It’s Gaining Popularity

✅ Why It’s Gaining Popularity

Speed & Convenience: Time is often limited between death and funeral services. AI drastically reduces the burden on both families and funeral directors.

Cost-Effective: Many families can’t afford professional obituary writers or lengthy newspaper entries. AI makes it accessible.

Emotionally Easier: Some families find it difficult to write about loved ones during mourning. AI offers a gentle starting point.

Concerns and Criticism

Despite the practical benefits, AI-written obituaries raise deeper questions:

Loss of Authenticity: Critics argue these auto-generated messages lack the warmth, quirks, and nuances that make a tribute truly personal.

Over-Standardization: When every obituary starts to sound the same, it risks reducing a unique life to a generic summary.

Ethical Sensitivity: Death is not just data. Should we really let machines handle something so emotionally sacred?