The funeral sector, like many other industries, is also looking at ways to implement this technology to improve customers experiences.

Grief is a deeply personal experience that affects individuals of all ages in different ways. Whether it stems from the loss of a loved one, a life-changing event, or even the end of a relationship, grief can manifest itself in a range of emotional and physical responses. While the grieving process is essential for healing, it can also be intense and overwhelming, and at times isolating. Historically, traditional support systems such as therapy, counseling, and support of family and close friends has been vital.

However, in recent years, new technologies like Artificial Intelligence have emerged, helping both children and adults navigate the complexities of grief. While AI can deliver inaccurate outcomes in some instances and is still very much in its infancy, its ability to process lots of data, engage in conversations, and adapt to individuals’ needs means it has the potential to be an ideal source of emotional support. As with all applications of AI, the use of artificial intelligence to help people manage grief is still evolving, but its potential is already being demonstrated in various therapeutic capacities.

 

Understanding Grief in Children and Adults

Grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Children and adults grieve differently, mostly due to differences in emotional maturity, development, and life experience. Children depending on their age often struggle to articulate their feelings and may not fully understand the permanence of the death of their loved one. Adults, on the other hand, have a better understanding of death and loss although can still find the burden of responsibilities and societal pressure overwhelming.

For children, grief can manifest in various ways, from changes in behaviour to mood swings, and even physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches. Adults typically experience sadness, anxiety, and insomnia, as they mentally process their emotions during grief. Both children and adults need personal support, tailored to their needs meeting them where they are emotionally. The journey of grief is not linear and therefore adaptability in care is key. AI is incredibly versatile and can personalise its messages, providing different levels of support to people at various stages of grief. Whether it’s a young child struggling with the death of a pet or an adult mourning the loss of a loved one.

It is important however, to remember that nothing can replace human interaction and empathy, so regardless of AI’s ability to aid in the grief journey, it will never be enough as a standalone tool in supporting adults or children through grief.

 

AI-Powered Grief Support for Adults

One of the most significant ways AI can support adults in grief is through the development of conversational agents or chatbots.^[1] AI can be available to anyone, in one click, at any time, and is scalable in a way that human counselling is not – a single AI chatbot can serve thousands of people concurrently, day or night. It is no surprise that the hardest moments of grief often come at night, or in moments of quiet or isolation. AI-driven platforms can support and engage with people in therapeutic conversations, providing a sense of companionship, and helping individuals process their emotions in a safe and non-judgmental space.

The form that these emotional support chatbots typically come in, is as virtual therapists or grief bots.^[2] These bots are designed to listen and respond empathetically to a person’s feelings, and help deliver messaging that will offer comfort or assist the caller in opening up about their feelings. For children they can be programmed to ask probing questions that help a child to reflect on their feelings, gently guiding them toward understanding and acceptance. Children and adults can find it hard to articulate and process their feelings so a more proactive approach is normally required to better support them. Unlike traditional therapy, which requires scheduling, can be prohibitively expensive and often needs a service user to be physically present, AI chatbots are available 24/7, offering immediate support whenever it’s needed most, from anywhere in the world.

Additionally, AI-driven apps can offer personalised coping strategies based on the person’s emotional state. For example, if an individual is experiencing heightened anxiety or sadness, the app might suggest mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, or even guided meditations to alleviate stress. Another advantage of AI is its ability to analyse patterns in the person’s behavior and emotions. By monitoring language use, response times, and emotional tone, AI can identify warning signs of severe depression or suicidal thoughts and recommend seeking professional help when necessary. This obviously can be life-saving, particularly for individuals who may be reluctant to seek help on their own.

However, AI’s role in grief support for adults extends beyond emotional processing. It can also help with practical concerns, such as managing the logistics of death and help people to find answers for questions around end of life planning. AI-powered platforms can help bereaved loved ones manage funeral arrangements, legal paperwork, or financial planning, reducing the burden at an emotionally challenging time. Because when life ends, where do you begin?

 

AI-Powered Grief Support for Children

Unlike adults, children often lack the language or emotional maturity to fully express their grief. This can result in pent up anger or behavioral changes which manifest negatively in the home or at school. This is where AI can step in to provide unique and age/time appropriate support, thats tailored to their unique needs.

AI-driven therapeutic tools for children often take the form of interactive games, storytelling platforms, or companion robots. These tools engage children in age-appropriate activities that help them understand and express their feelings. For example, some AI programs use storytelling to help children navigate the concept of loss by presenting it in a way that is gentle and understandable. Interactive characters within these platforms can ask children how they feel, getting them to express emotions they might not be able to articulate on their own. Some of these initiatives have been trialled in the US to support children who have lost parents in the army. They have been so successful that over time some children have actually been able to stop relying on the platform.

AI-powered tools can also be designed to respond to the child’s emotional needs, adjusting the interaction based on cues from the child’s behaviour. For instance, if a child becomes upset or disengaged, the AI might change its approach, offering comfort or distraction in the form of a game or a calming activity.

One promising area of AI development is companion robots for children who are grieving. These robots can act as a comforting presence, offering children a non-judgmental support. Equipped with advanced emotional recognition software, these robots can detect when a child is sad or anxious and respond with soothing words or activities. They can also help children process their grief by engaging them in conversations that help them explore their feelings at a pace and in a manner that the child can handle. Rather than relying on a cold, digital interaction, these offer an option for those children who will benefit from a more humanlike presence at the other end, often with names, avatars and their own personalities.

Tools like these can also be of great value for parents, grandparents, and caregivers in providing more information as to how the child is coping with grief, and whether their behaviour is a cause for concern. By analysing the child’s interactions with the AI, these platforms can identify emotional patterns and alert parents if anything is worrying or if additional support is needed. This data-driven approach allows loved ones to intervene early if the child is struggling, providing a safety net that might not be possible without the use of AI.

 

Ethical Considerations and Limitations

While AI offers lots of benefits and opportunities for supporting children and adults through their grief journey, it is important to look at the issues and ethical considerations of using technology in such a sensitive context, particularly when concerning children.

It is no surprise to anyone that technology comes with its risks. We have seen in the US, cases where people have been charged with murder for inciting suicide via WhatsApp. One of the biggest issues is the over-reliance on technology – while AI can be a valuable tool, it is not a tool to be used as a replacement of human connection and touch. Grief is a deeply human experience that often requires the empathy and understanding that only another person can provide. It’s essential that AI-driven tools are used to complement, rather than replace, traditional forms of grief support. If you are embarking on your grief journey now, and are experiencing anxiety or depression, you must seek professional help.

Another obvious concern is privacy. AI platforms are able to track emotional patterns but rely on storing sometimes sensitive personal information. It is vital that with mental health services, such platforms must prioritise user confidentiality and data security to ensure nothing is used maliciously. Several questions surrounding the storing of data and the recording of conversations have been raised over Amazon’s Alexa and it’s important that users are able to trust that their personal experiences are being handled with the utmost care and are not at risk of being exploited.

Lastly, there is the issue of accessibility. While AI has the potential to democratise access to grief support, not everyone has the technological literacy or resources to engage with AI tools, nor is there the highest level of trust within some groups that are particularly vulnerable through grief. Ensuring that AI is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or technological capability, is crucial if it is to be effective in supporting those going through grief across the United Kingdom.

 

In Summary

AI’s role in supporting grief is still in its early stages, but the possibilities are endless. As AI continues to evolve, its ability to offer personalised support will only improve. As technology progresses, more sophisticated AI tools could become capable of offering even deeper emotional support, possibly integrating with virtual reality or other emerging technologies to support the grief journey. This could be even more powerful when dealing with children and young people.

Ultimately, AI has the potential to become a powerful tool in the grieving process, offering comfort and support when it’s needed most. By helping individuals of all ages navigate their emotions affordably, AI can play a crucial role in easing the burden of grief, whilst complementing traditional forms of therapy and offering new ways for people to heal.

Today, however, and for at least the very near future, AI should be utilised in an appropriate way that puts human interaction at the forefront, as there is immense, and evidenced value to those suffering with grief in sharing with empathetic humans. One day, AI may take the lead, but for now it is an effective supplementary tool that helps us reach more grieving people, with greater ease.

^[1] RGA, 2024. AI Chatbots Break Down Barriers to Much-Needed Mental Health Treatments. Last accessed, August 2024.

^[2] Khawaja Z, Bélisle-Pipon JC. Your robot therapist is not your therapist: understanding the role of AI-powered mental health chatbots. Front Digit Health. 2023 Nov 8;5:1278186. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1278186. PMID: 38026836; PMCID: PMC10663264.