I’ve written about transhumanism and the deathcare space at length before, but there is currently a ton of buzz around a new form of AI technology called ChatGPT. Of course, as a death care professional and educator, I always look at new trends through the lens of how they could impact deathcare, and ChatGPT is no exception. ChatGPT is a highly advanced open AI software that has risen in popularity in the past few months for its uncanny ability to write english papers, creative content, and even cover letters and resumes. What sets ChatGPT apart from previous open AI softwares is the skill with which it is able to produce content without errors, with high detail, and which often passes for human. This made me curious about the role of open AI and the future of death care. For instance, could ChatGPT replace obituary writing in funeral homes? Could Chat GPT write its own obituary? Can ChatGPT write a well researched death education article better than an actual human who has actually experienced loss and grief? Let’s find out!
Can ChatGPT Write an Obituary?
The short answer is, yes. One can enter the basic information desired, (“Write an obituary for a 65 year old gay man from California who died of cancer and leaves behind a husband and 2 children” for example) and Chat GPT will spit out a perfectly legible and believable obituary. You can see examples of obituaries I asked ChatGPT to write in this TikTok I made about it a few months ago.
However, as I spent the better part of a day inputting different prompts for ChatGPT obituary writing, it became clear that something was a bit off. No matter what information about the deceased I input into ChatGPT, the core obituary came out the same. Regardless of age, race, class, cause of death, or family status I put into the prompt, ChatGPT spit out an obituary that referred to “leaving behind a loving family” or “having a loving happy family.” Other bits of information were recycled over and over again as well. This proved to me that, while these obituaries are legible, they aren’t personal.
When it comes to providing supportive, meaningful death care services, personalization is vital. In Celebrant training we were taught that every aspect of a memorial service should be personalized to that person and that family. The hard truth is that not everyone leaves behind a loving family, or had a good relationship with the one they do leave behind. Being able to write a memorial for someone that is honest, compassionate, and honors the truth of their life with sensitivity is absolutely necessary.
ChatGPT could be an ok starting place for an obituary, but it would definitely be necessary to heavily edit and add important details to the text it produces. AI could impact the future of death care in many ways, but in my opinion, meaningful obituaries will still need attention and revisions from a human being.
Chat GPT and Death Education
Maybe ChatGPT isn’t quite human enough to write a comprehensive obituary on its own, but could it write an insightful or educational article about death? Could this be the role of AI in the future of death care? I put this question to the test and asked Chat GPT to “write an article about death avoidance with citations from credible sources.” This was the result:
“Death is an inevitable part of life, yet many people are reluctant to talk about it, let alone think about it. This is known as death avoidance, a psychological phenomenon that is common across cultures and religions. Death avoidance can be attributed to a range of factors, including fear, anxiety, and cultural beliefs about death. In this article, we will explore the psychological phenomenon of death avoidance and its impact on individuals and society.
The fear of death is a natural human response, and it is often seen as a protective mechanism that helps individuals to avoid danger. However, when fear of death becomes excessive, it can lead to death avoidance. According to research, death avoidance is a common response to the fear of death, and it can lead to a range of negative consequences, including anxiety, depression, and a decreased quality of life (Abrams & Bonanno, 2015).
One of the reasons why death avoidance is so prevalent is because death is often seen as a taboo subject in many cultures. People are often hesitant to talk about death, even with loved ones, and this can lead to a lack of preparation for the end of life. In a study conducted by Fink and colleagues (2015), it was found that individuals who reported higher levels of death avoidance were less likely to engage in end-of-life planning, such as creating a will or discussing their wishes for end-of-life care.
While death avoidance is a common response to the fear of death, it is important to note that it can have negative consequences. Individuals who avoid thinking about death may be less likely to engage in end-of-life planning, which can lead to a lack of control over their own end-of-life care. In addition, death avoidance can lead to anxiety and depression, as individuals struggle to come to terms with their mortality.To overcome death avoidance, it is important to confront one’s own mortality and to engage in end-of-life planning. This can include creating a will, discussing end-of-life care with loved ones, and making arrangements for one’s own funeral. By confronting death in a proactive way, individuals can gain a sense of control over their own end-of-life care, which can lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling end-of-life experience.
In conclusion, death avoidance is a common psychological phenomenon that is driven by fear, anxiety, and cultural beliefs about death. While it is a natural response to the fear of death, death avoidance can have negative consequences, including anxiety, depression, and a decreased quality of life. By confronting one’s own mortality and engaging in end-of-life planning, individuals can overcome death avoidance and gain a sense of control over their own end-of-life care.References:
Abrams, A. N., & Bonanno, G. A. (2015). The nature and impact of death anxiety on individuals and communities. In The Handbook of Death and Dying (pp. 15-30). Wiley-Blackwell.
Fink, G., Weeks, W. B., & Sternweis, M. (2015). End-of-life planning: Are we ready for the conversation?. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 18(5), 423-428.”
It’s clear that ChatGPT can write an articulate, grammatically correct article and even include citations from credible research sources. However, in my opinion, there is still something lacking in the content it produces. The text gets a bit repetitive, and remains academic in a way that borders on sterile. For me, when it comes to writing about things like death, loss, grief, etc. the writing is still more effective if there is an element of the personal. In this case, AI and the future of death care aren’t very linked…
Consumer Research About Death Care Options
Finally, I got curious about ChatGPT’s ability to educate the public on death care options that are available today. Depending on state regulations, and the quality of service someone receives at a funeral home, individuals outside the funeral profession may not be told about newer options like green burial, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction in a normal funeral consultation.
In order to see how thorough the information that ChatGPT gives out about death care options really is, I asked it to do some info-gathering about Death Curious’ parent company, Parting Stone. I put in the prompt: “describe the benefits of Parting Stone” and got this result back:
“Parting Stone is a service that provides an alternative to traditional cremation by transforming the cremated remains of a loved one into solidified, smooth stones that can be kept or distributed among friends and family. Here are some potential benefits of using Parting Stone:
- Unique and Personal: Parting Stone provides a unique and personal way to remember a loved one. Each stone is unique, with its own color, texture, and shape. You can also choose to have the stone engraved with a message or design, making it a personal keepsake.
- Environmentally Friendly: Unlike traditional cremation, which requires large amounts of energy and produces harmful emissions, Parting Stone’s process is environmentally friendly. The stones are created using a non-toxic, water-based solution that is safe for the environment.
- Portable and Durable: Parting Stones are small and lightweight, making them easy to transport and store. They are also very durable, with a smooth surface that is resistant to chipping and cracking.
- Flexibility: Parting Stone provides flexibility in terms of what you can do with the remains. You can keep them, distribute them among friends and family, or scatter them in a meaningful location. This allows for a more personalized and meaningful way to say goodbye.
- Closure and Healing: The process of creating Parting Stones can also provide a sense of closure and healing for those who have lost a loved one. It allows for a tangible and lasting way to remember and honor the memory of the person who has passed away.”
That response seemed very hopeful! Many of those details are pulled from personal testimony, press articles about Parting Stone’s services, and sources other than just what is available on Parting Stone’s website. It seemed very thorough. However, when simply asked “What is Parting Stone?” ChatGPT’s response was:
“A Parting Stone is a type of burial marker that is used in green burials as an alternative to traditional headstones or grave markers. It is a small, smooth stone that is placed at the head or foot of a grave to identify the location of the burial. Parting Stones are typically made from natural materials, such as river rocks, fieldstones, or other types of stones. They are often left unmarked or with minimal inscriptions to blend in with the natural surroundings of the burial site.”
Somehow, when asked about the benefits of Parting Stone, ChatGPT made the connection to the death care company. When asked what Parting Stone is, Chat GPT didn’t make the same connection and gave a bizarre answer about green burial traditions. When you ask google the same question, the death care company and information about solidified remains is what you’ll find. So, ChatGPT isn’t even the best or most reliable way for individuals to get accurate information about death care options and services.
AI and the Future of Death Care
Open AI software can be a great tool for producing some forms of writing content (particularly marketing content, making lists, and quick fact regurgitation), doing mid-level research, and quickly gathering information. And I do think that AI and the future of death care are linked. Many funeral homes could use ChatGPT to create marketing content, and even as a starting point for obituaries. If prompted correctly, ChatGPT could help educate individuals on newer death care options. However, after exploring what ChatGPT has to offer, it’s clear that, when it comes to death care services and education, a touch of humanity is still necessary.
