Finding Words is a free, AI-powered obituary writer created by Empathy, a company focused on supporting families through loss and bereavement. It is built for grieving family members who need to compose an obituary but find the blank page overwhelming during an emotionally difficult time. Rather than asking people to write from scratch, the tool guides them through a gentle, structured process and produces a thoughtful first draft in minutes.
How It Works
Instead of starting with an empty document, users are led through a guided questionnaire. The tool asks a series of simple, approachable questions about the person who has died, then uses that information to assemble a coherent draft written in standard obituary conventions. Once a draft is generated, families can review it, edit the wording, and personalize the text before sharing or publishing it wherever they choose.
Information It Gathers
The questionnaire collects the details that typically appear in an obituary, organized so that nothing important is overlooked:
- Basic information: name, age, dates of birth and death, and location.
- Life story: education, career highlights, military service, and notable achievements.
- Personality and legacy: defining traits, memorable moments, and the sentiments loved ones want to express.
- Logistical details: funeral or memorial service information, surviving family members, and any preferences for charitable donations.
Key Features
- Guided drafting: a question-led flow removes the pressure of facing a blank page during grief.
- Fast results: the tool produces a complete first draft within minutes of answering the prompts.
- Tone matching: the draft can reflect the intended voice, whether traditional, warm, or more personal.
- Editable output: families can refine the generated text, add personal anecdotes, and adjust phrasing to suit different publications or lengths.
- Grief-informed design: the writing approach was shaped with input from writers and grief experts to keep the result respectful and dignified.
Who It Is For
Finding Words is intended for anyone responsible for writing an obituary, including immediate family members, relatives, and friends who have been asked to help. It is especially useful for people who are unsure how to begin, who feel too overwhelmed to draft something from memory, or who simply want a dependable starting point they can personalize.
Privacy and Cost
The tool is free to use and does not require a subscription. Empathy positions Finding Words as part of its broader mission to ease the practical and emotional burdens that follow a loss. The obituary text belongs to the family, who can download it and use it however they see fit. Finding Words sits alongside Empathy's wider bereavement and estate support services, which the company offers to individuals and through partnerships with employers and insurers.
