Artificial intelligence is entering the funeral industry. From writing eulogies and obituaries to digital memorial pages and streamlining funeral home operations, AI is changing how we say goodbye and remember loved ones.
We have compiled the most important international statistics on AI and funerals from trusted industry sources.
In the first days after a loss, words fail. I have sat with American families across more than two decades, and the hardest moment is rarely the ceremony itself. It is the blank page the night before. A strong AI draft removes the pressure of starting from zero. You then fill it with the details only you could give. The memories, the turns of phrase, the small private jokes. The numbers below show that more and more families are choosing this path. Starting is the hardest part. Honouring the person with dignity comes next.
Rebecca Holloway
1. 85% of consumers are comfortable using AI to help write a eulogy (WifiTalents)
A comprehensive industry study shows that 85% of consumers feel comfortable using AI to help write a eulogy for a loved one. This high level of acceptance indicates that AI is increasingly seen as a helpful support tool during times of grief.
2. 75% of funeral directors believe AI will become a key partner within 5 years (WifiTalents)
Three-quarters of funeral professionals are convinced that AI will play a key role in administrative tasks at funeral homes within the next five years. From scheduling to document preparation, AI is seen as a significant efficiency gain.
3. 55% of funeral professionals show interest in AI adoption (WifiTalents)
According to a survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, 55.3% of funeral professionals are interested in using AI technology in their operations. The industry is increasingly opening up to digital innovation.
4. 85% of funeral homes offer digital memorial pages (WifiTalents)
Digital memorial pages have become standard: 85% of all funeral homes offer them as a regular service. These pages allow family and friends to share memories, photos, and condolences online.
5. AI reduces obituary writing time by 50% (WifiTalents)
Funeral homes using AI tools for writing obituaries report cutting the required time in half. The traditional process often takes six hours or more: three hours meeting with the family to gather details and another three to craft the obituary.
6. Chatbots handle 60% of routine inquiries at funeral homes (WifiTalents)
AI-powered chatbots already handle 60% of routine price inquiries and general questions at funeral homes. This frees up staff for personal counseling and support of grieving families.
7. 65% of families seek tech-driven memorial solutions (WifiTalents)
A 2024 industry report found that 65% of bereaved families want technology-driven memorial solutions. This reflects a growing desire for innovative ways to preserve memories and honor loved ones.
8. 72% of families prefer digital options for parts of the funeral process (WifiTalents)
Nearly three-quarters of families surveyed in 2023 expressed a preference for digital options for at least part of the funeral process, whether for planning, memorialization, or communication with the funeral home.
9. 58% of millennials expect smart technology at funeral homes (WifiTalents)
More than half of millennials expect funeral homes to offer intelligent technology options. This generation, increasingly stepping into the role of organizers, is driving the digital transformation of the industry.
10. 48% find AI planning portals less stressful (WifiTalents)
Nearly half of respondents find that AI-powered planning portals make the already difficult funeral process less stressful. Automating administrative tasks gives families more space to grieve.
11. 33% of funeral homes use AI for celebrant scripts (WifiTalents)
One-third of funeral homes already use AI to create or support texts for celebrants and ceremony leaders. AI serves as a starting point that the speaker then personalizes with specific memories and details.
12. 40% increase in AI-powered photo restorations (WifiTalents)
Demand for AI-based photo restoration at funeral homes has risen by 40%. Old black-and-white photos can be colorized and restored with 95% accuracy to be displayed at memorial services.
13. 30% reduction in administrative time through AI scheduling (WifiTalents)
Funeral homes using AI-powered scheduling tools report a 30% reduction in administrative time. That translates to roughly 10 hours saved per week on bookkeeping alone.
14. 80% of funeral home CRM systems include AI-powered lead tracking (WifiTalents)
The vast majority of customer relationship management systems in the funeral industry now integrate AI-based features for tracking inquiries and improving family communication.
15. 90% of industry experts call for AI legislation by 2026 (WifiTalents)
Nearly all deathcare industry experts believe that AI use in the funeral sector requires new legislation. The handling of deceased individuals' data and the ethical boundaries of AI memorial services are key concerns.
16. 65% of funeral directors worry about AI data security (WifiTalents)
Two-thirds of funeral professionals express concerns about the data security of AI-stored information. The sensitive handling of personal data of the deceased and their families requires particular care.
17. 77% see AI as a business survival necessity (WifiTalents)
More than three-quarters of funeral business owners view AI adoption as a business necessity to remain competitive in the long term.
18. The global funeral market is growing to $80 billion in 2026 (Grand View Research)
The global funeral and cremation services market is growing from approximately $71 billion (2024) to an estimated $80 billion (2026). Digital planning tools and AI integration are among the key growth drivers.
19. The funeral software market is growing to $14 billion (Market Research Future)
The funeral home software industry is estimated at around $14 billion (2025) and is projected to grow to $26.6 billion by 2035. Cloud-based AI solutions are driving growth particularly strongly.
20. 80% believe empathy must remain human (WifiTalents)
Despite all enthusiasm for technology, 80% of respondents are convinced that empathy and genuine human compassion must remain an exclusively human quality that AI cannot replace. Technology should support, not substitute, human connection in moments of grief.
Conclusion
The funeral industry is undergoing a digital transformation. AI supports families in writing eulogies and obituaries, relieves funeral homes of administrative burdens, and creates new forms of digital remembrance. At the same time, the statistics show that empathy and human compassion must remain at the center. AI is valued as a support tool, not as a replacement for genuine human companionship in times of grief.