Ask An Expert: Does AI Have A Place In Funerals?

Last year, NBA stars Russell Westbrook and Kemba Walker launched a startup, Eazewell, which aims to make funeral planning simpler and more streamlined, thanks in part to artificial intelligence (AI).

“We’re trying to take the weight off people’s shoulders as much as we can, and make this process so much easier for people,” Walker shared with CNBC.

And it seems the trend is growing.

The Washington Post reported on the “rise” of AI obituary writing tools, stating that funeral directors “are increasingly asking the relatives of the deceased whether they would prefer for AI to write the obituary”.

Here, funeral director Andrew Purves from William Purves Funeral Directors shared his thoughts on the shift.

According to Purves, “A funeral director’s job requires a blend of administrative and interpersonal skills and, above all, a desire to support people facing loss.

“Funeral directors deliver a unique service: guiding, supporting and actioning a family’s wishes, while also project managing and communicating with third parties such as churches, florists or celebrants.”

And given that people using their service may be in varying states of emotional distress, Purve added, the “intuition and empathy of a funeral director is
what makes – or breaks – the quality of service”.

In that light, he said, “Replacing this care with AI-powered services seems not only uncomfortable but also potentially dangerous. When dealing with people at their most vulnerable, entrusting their emotional wellbeing with artificial intelligence seems profoundly misplaced”.

Some experts have cautioned against AI therapy chatbots, which Stanford researchers argue carry “risks” like bias and harmful responses to emotionally-charged prompts.

AI has been spotted giving users questionable consumer advice, too. It’s hard not to wonder whether this has the potential to add to ballooning UK funeral costs.

“Beyond the emotional cost, the potential proliferation of AI-driven funeral
services also risk lowering professional standards,” Purves continued.

“If funeral homes feel pressured to compete with their low-cost, AI-counterparts, they may be compelled to cut corners: fewer staff, less time with families or reduced aftercare.

“Grieving families could find themselves dealing with impersonal ‘click-and-plan’ interfaces instead of skilled professionals who understand cultural and religious nuances, and can anticipate emotional needs before they’re expressed.”

According to Purves, this doesn’t mean AI has no place in funeral care.

“The rise in livestreaming funeral services, for example, has been overwhelmingly positive for the industry, as loved ones overseas can pay their respects without having to travel,” he stated.

“Equally, funeral directors often use advanced systems to plan and manage their operations, allowing firms to effectively coordinate arrangements and ensuring clients receive the support they need.”

The funeral director added that admin and paperwork capabilities could be useful, too, “provided it is used to enhance, not replace, the human service”.

This could leave funeral directors with more time to care for the bereaved in person.

But, Purves ended, “The future of funeral care shouldn’t be about replacing compassion with convenience. It should be about protecting what makes us human in the first place.

“Because no matter how advanced technology becomes, there will always be one thing it can’t do: care.”