The way we grieve and remember loved ones is evolving. Gone are the days when a simple headstone was the primary way to honor someone’s memory. Today, technology is revolutionizing the way we preserve legacies, leading to a new field known as DeathTech—a growing industry that blends digital innovation with traditional memorialization.
From AI-generated voices of the deceased to virtual reality tributes, modern memorialization is more interactive and enduring than ever before. As a New York Post article extols, DeathTech is offering people new ways to keep the memory of their loved ones alive beyond the physical world.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the groundbreaking ways technology is changing remembrance—and how platforms like Kwillt are helping families preserve legacies for future generations.
DeathTech is an emerging field that leverages digital tools, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based platforms to help people honor, remember, and even interact with those who have passed away.
Here are some of the most fascinating developments in the space:
As the New York Post article explains, these innovations are reshaping the way we process grief and preserve personal histories. Instead of relying on static gravestones, families can now create dynamic and interactive legacies that can be passed down for generations.
One of the most intriguing advancements in DeathTech is AI-driven memorialization.
A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking notes that artificial intelligence can now analyze text, video, and voice recordings to replicate a person’s mannerisms, voice, and conversational style.
This means that soon, memorial platforms may allow people to have AI-powered conversations with their deceased loved ones—something that would have seemed like science fiction even half a decade ago.
While this technology raises ethical questions, it also provides comfort to those struggling with grief. Instead of losing a loved one’s voice and personality forever, AI memorials allow their presence to remain in an accessible and interactive form. However, concerns arise about consent—should AI be allowed to reconstruct someone’s voice or likeness if they never explicitly agreed to it in life?
In Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, the director used AI to replicate Bourdain’s voice for certain segments, sparking backlash from fans and even Bourdain’s ex-wife, who claimed she was never consulted. The controversy raised difficult questions about whether digital resurrection is an act of remembrance or a violation of personal autonomy. While some find solace in hearing a loved one’s voice again, others argue that AI-driven memorials could blur the line between tribute and exploitation.
While some DeathTech innovations are futuristic and experimental, Kwillt is already offering a practical and meaningful way to preserve family legacies today.
One of Kwillt’s most powerful features is the Remembrance Patch, a dedicated digital space where loved ones can gather to share tributes. Unlike a static headstone, these Patches evolve over time, ensuring that someone’s memory is not only preserved—but continuously celebrated.
To see how Kwillt is shaping the future of digital memorials for yourself, create your first Patch today.
Feature Image by Donald Iain Smith/Getty Images
