Finding the Right Balance: Using AI and the Human Touch in Obituary Writing
Writing an obituary is about honoring a life lived, sharing a person’s story and giving family and friends a way to remember someone they loved. For some people this task is cathartic and a positive path toward healthy grieving. But for many people, writing during a time of grief can feel overwhelming. This is where AI can step in as a support tool, while leaving room for the personal touch that makes an obituary truly meaningful.
How to Use AI to Help
AI can be a helpful tool for families and funeral professionals by:
- Providing a Starting Point: AI can suggest templates or draft basic obituary outlines, which can be especially helpful when emotions make it hard to know where to begin.
- Ensuring Accuracy: It can help organize dates, names and key facts clearly.
- Offering Inspiration: Sometimes, AI-generated phrases or formats spark ideas for stories and details that families want to add.
Adding Your Personal Touch
An obituary becomes meaningful when it reflects the unique life of the person being remembered. That’s where the human touch is irreplaceable.
- Stories and Anecdotes: AI is not capable of conveying the warmth of a family memory.
- Personal Values: Sharing hobbies, passions and what mattered most gives an obituary heart.
- Tone and Emotion: The family’s love, gratitude and personality shine only when real people contribute.
Bringing the Two Together
A good rule of thumb is to let AI handle the structure, while family and friends add the stories and emotional connections. Think of AI as a tool to build the frame, and your personal touch as the photography that communicates a vivid story.
AI can ease the burden of obituary writing by offering organization, clarity and maybe even some inspiration. By combining that with personality, families can create a tribute that is accurate, heartfelt and one that truly honors the life that was lived.