Advancements in artificial intelligence have given rise to a new approach in coping with grief: AI-generated digital replicas of deceased loved ones. Companies offering these services create chatbots or avatars designed to simulate interactions with those who have passed away, often marketing them under names like Seance, Rememory, and Persona. These AI tools utilize large language models (LLMs), similar to those used by platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude, enabling personalized conversations and even obituary writing.
One example, Treasured Memories, allows users to generate obituaries by inputting personal details such as nicknames, causes of death, hobbies, and preferred tones ranging from formal to witty. Meanwhile, services like Persona provide AI replicas developed to preserve a deceased person’s manner of speaking, responding to queries and facilitating continued interaction.
Justin Harrison, founder of Persona, developed an AI version of his mother after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The project was initiated with her knowledge and consent, and Harrison uses the bot to engage in conversations that address philosophical questions they did not have time for before her passing. He acknowledges mixed reactions to AI replicas, emphasizing that his use is for personal comfort, recovery, and healing. However, Harrison admits that his interactions with the bot have decreased over time, noting it serves as a way to avoid feelings of guilt by allowing limited, controlled communication.
Not all experts view AI-assisted mourning positively. Robin Silver, an ecopsychologist and death doula, criticizes grief bots as artificial tools that circumvent the natural discomfort associated with loss. She compares them to students relying on AI to produce essays without engaging in the learning process. Silver advocates for more traditional methods of grieving, such as letter writing or speaking aloud to deceased loved ones, encouraging practices that foster healthy emotional integration.
Similarly, clinical psychologist Dr. Dan Wolfson cautions that reliance on AI or digital avatars during bereavement risks isolating individuals from essential human support networks. He emphasizes the importance of community and interpersonal connection in processing grief and questions whether AI tools might inadvertently reduce social engagement during critical emotional periods.
Despite its novelty, AI-assisted mourning remains a relatively niche service. A recent survey by the estate management firm Empathy found only 6% of respondents in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada had utilized digital tools, including grief bots or memorial apps, for coping with loss. Among those users, 88% reported these technologies as helpful.
Research into the use of generative AI for mourning indicates that many individuals seek these services for brief periods, often to express final thoughts or unresolved feelings toward the deceased. While some find this cathartic, critics warn that commercializing grief may exploit vulnerable individuals during difficult times. Silver describes such offerings as potential “money grabs,” highlighting ethical concerns about profiting from mourning.
As AI continues to intersect with deeply personal experiences like bereavement, the conversation around its benefits and risks remains ongoing, balancing innovation against the psychological and social complexities of loss.