Welton's Wisdom - Funeral Preplanning with AI

Note: This is part four of a six-part series by Welton Hong, the founder and CEO of Ring Ring Marketing, about using artificial intelligence (AI) in funeral services.

Funeral preplanning has always been about helping families make thoughtful decisions ahead of time, taking the weight off their shoulders at a time when they really need it. But the way you can do it is evolving, and artificial intelligence (AI) is leading the way. AI can predict what’s ahead, personalize the experience and ensure no detail is overlooked. And in doing so, it frees up funeral directors to focus on what they do best: providing care and compassion to the families they serve.

For traditionalists, this might sound a bit radical—after all, preplanning has always relied on human experience, intuition and compassion. But AI isn’t here to replace that; it’s here to enhance it. It’s an optional tool you can recruit that works alongside your expertise, helping you anticipate trends, tailor offerings and simplify decisions for families.

To understand how it works, think about how much data is out there—our preferences, habits, even cultural traditions. AI picks up on patterns, trends and insights we’d likely never see on our own. It helps funeral homes stay ahead of what families might need before they even know to ask—like spotting the growing demand for eco-friendly options or predicting how celebrations of life are becoming more popular with younger generations. Instead of playing catch-up, funeral homes can anticipate these shifts and offer exactly what people are looking for.

As you know, preplanning isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. Every family is unique, and AI helps funeral homes show they truly understand this. It analyzes everything from simple surveys to spending patterns to create a picture of what matters most to each person. For example, if it’s a family with strong religious traditions, AI ensures they’re presented with options that respect their beliefs. Or take someone who prefers something simple and understated; they’ll get recommendations that fit their vision perfectly.

Then there’s the financial side. AI makes this easier, too, by matching services to what families can realistically afford. It doesn’t just stop at finding the right price point; it also offers solutions, like payment plans or alternative options, that take the stress out of saying yes.

AI brings ease to the entire process. Instead of endless forms and back-and-forth emails, a chatbot can answer questions, guide families through the process and collect all the important details effortlessly. It can also help funeral homes stay connected with families over time. Maybe someone preplanned a simple cremation but later decides they’d like to include a memorial service. AI makes sure those options are presented at the right moment, keeping the process flexible and accommodating as life changes.