Thoughts on this article about using AI for obituaries

[genxlib]

4. They are largely a shell of what they used to be

Connected to the same downfall that has affected all of print media.

But I will say that it was necessary in our case.

For one, it was important to my mother to see her husband of 63 years remembered in this way. She regularly reads the obits and believes that many people in her generation do.

Second, my Dad lived in real life. He carried no phone and had no social media profile. But he loved people and spent time with them in real life. For instance he worked 20 years in retirement at the local grocery store. He interacted with the community and hundreds of people knew him by name and many would have wanted to know. There was no way to reach those people. I don't know if we did reach them but we tried.

There is one thing I will add is that printed obituaries have become a profit center like everything else in the media. It is a minimum of $70ish and there is a considerable cost to do anything beyond the minimum. It is a shame but most people won't bother with the expense but like I said, it was important to my mother.

I would also add that even if you don't publish one, it is customary for the funeral home to have one developed. It is often used in the announcements and invitations to the services.