Using AI To Write A Funeral Program: What You Need To Know

Writing a funeral program can be an emotionally heavy task, especially when you’re grieving. From gathering memories and listing service details to crafting an obituary, the process requires clarity, time, and thoughtful reflection. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool to support families through this process. With the right input, AI can help create beautifully worded funeral programs quickly and respectfully. This article explores how AI can be used to write a funeral program, what the benefits are, and what considerations you should keep in mind.

What Is a Funeral Program?

A funeral program is a printed or digital document that serves as both a guide for the service and a keepsake for attendees. It typically includes:

• The name of the deceased

• Birth and passing dates

• The order of service

• A short biography or obituary

• Selected scriptures, poems, or quotes

• Acknowledgments

• Photos and memorial notes

Traditionally, families created these documents from scratch or with the help of a funeral home. Now, AI can assist with the writing and formatting to make the task easier and more efficient.

How AI Helps Write Funeral Programs

AI tools such as ChatGPT, Jasper AI, and others can generate funeral program content based on a few simple inputs. You can ask AI to:

• Write a personalized obituary

• Create a thank-you message to family and friends

• Generate sample eulogies

• Suggest poems, scriptures, or quotes

• Draft an order of service

With minimal instruction—such as the person’s name, key life events, and tone preferences—AI can produce a full draft in seconds.

Benefits of Using AI

1. Speed and Convenience
   AI can dramatically reduce the time it takes to write a funeral program. Instead of spending hours composing and editing text, families can input basic details and receive a draft within minutes.

2. Reduces Emotional Burden
   Grief can make writing difficult. AI provides a helpful starting point, especially when it’s hard to find the right words. It can also assist when time is short, such as during same-week services.

3. Customizable and Personalized
   Modern AI tools let users select tone (formal, spiritual, poetic, etc.) and style preferences. This makes it easier to reflect the unique personality of the loved one.

4. Budget-Friendly
   Many AI tools are free or low-cost compared to hiring a writer or purchasing custom designs. This makes it an affordable option for families planning on a budget.

5. Templates and Layout Integration
   Some platforms combine AI writing tools with design templates, letting you generate both text and layout in one place.

Steps to Using AI for a Funeral Program

1. Choose an AI platform – ChatGPT, Jasper, or Canva with Magic Write are popular tools.

2. Prepare your input – List out facts such as the person’s birth date, career, hobbies, and surviving family.

3. Enter a prompt – Example: “Write a 250-word obituary for John Smith, born in 1950, loved gardening, was a school teacher for 30 years.”

4. Review and edit – Refine the output to correct any errors or add emotional touches.

5. Format and print – Use programs like Word, Google Slides, or Canva to design the final layout for printing or digital sharing.

AI Prompt Examples

Here are some sample prompts you can use:

• “Write a heartfelt thank-you message to attendees of Mary Johnson’s memorial service.”

• “Create a religious poem about eternal life for a funeral program.”

• “Generate a funeral order of service for a Catholic memorial.”

Best Practices

• Be detailed in your prompt: Include tone preferences, key life events, and relationships.

• Use your own words where needed: AI can assist, but personal touches make it real.

• Proofread: AI may get some details wrong or sound too generic. Always review the content carefully.

• Blend with design: Use layout templates to make the content visually appealing.

Common AI Tools Used for Funeral Writing

• ChatGPT: Ideal for custom content like obituaries, eulogies, and poems.

• Jasper AI: Offers tone controls and polished output for longer content.

• Canva: Combines writing and design with drag-and-drop editing.

• Google Slides: Great for digital slideshow programs with editable content boxes.

Ethical Considerations

Using AI during an emotional time might feel impersonal to some. However, it's important to understand that AI is a tool—not a replacement for human sentiment. When used thoughtfully, it can help families express emotions they may struggle to put into words.

AI is also helpful in cases where English isn’t the first language or where the writer isn’t confident in grammar or structure. Some tools even support translation, making it easier to prepare multilingual programs.

Limitations of AI

• Lacks human nuance: AI can sometimes miss emotional context or cultural sensitivity.

• Needs accurate input: If you provide vague or incorrect details, the output may not be helpful.

• Should not replace human editing: Always review what the AI generates before publishing or printing.

Sample Use Case

Let’s say you’re planning a funeral for your grandfather. You want to create a short obituary, list the order of events, and thank attendees. Using ChatGPT, you could input:

“Write an obituary for George Allen, born May 15, 1945. He was a Navy veteran, married 50 years, loved fishing and jazz. Survived by wife Linda, two daughters, and five grandchildren.”

The AI might return a 200–300-word summary with warmth, structure, and appropriate tone. You can then personalize it further, add specific achievements, or mention inside jokes or phrases he was known for.

When AI Is Most Useful

• When time is limited (e.g., a service is scheduled within days)

• When a professional writer is unavailable

• When families feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to write

• When you need a starting point and can revise from there

What AI Can't Do

While AI is helpful, it cannot replace the emotional weight of personal memories. Only you and your loved ones know the anecdotes, stories, and shared moments that defined the person you lost. Use AI to support structure and polish, but fill it in with your own voice whenever possible.

Combining AI With Traditional Methods

You don’t have to choose between AI and traditional writing. Many families use a hybrid approach:

• Start with AI for structure and tone

• Add handwritten notes, scanned letters, or poems

• Include favorite songs or quotes from the deceased

• Incorporate family edits to ensure accuracy and sentiment

This results in a collaborative, personalized funeral program that blends modern tools with emotional authenticity.

Looking Ahead: AI in Memorial Planning

As AI continues to improve, its role in memorial services is likely to grow. Future developments could include:

• AI-powered voice narration for slideshow videos

• Interactive memory-sharing platforms with AI prompts

• Automatically generated music or poetry

• Real-time collaboration tools for families planning remotely

These innovations can reduce stress, enhance personalization, and create more accessible ways to honor loved ones.

Conclusion

Using AI to write a funeral program may seem unconventional, but it offers valuable support during one of life’s hardest moments. Whether you need help composing an obituary, organizing the order of service, or simply finding the right words to say “thank you,” AI can serve as a compassionate assistant.

Remember: it’s not about replacing the human touch—it’s about easing the load so you can focus on remembering and celebrating the person you love. When used wisely, AI makes funeral planning less overwhelming and more meaningful.