Deathtech Isn’t Coming, It’s Here: Why Your Clients Expect More Than Caskets and Flowers

The end of “business as usual”

The funeral industry has long been built on tradition: caskets, flowers, ceremonies, and printed obituaries. For decades, that model was stable. Reliable. Predictable.

But stability isn’t the same as permanence.

Think this is still enough?

We’re now in an era where deathtech — the intersection of technology and end-of-life care — isn’t “coming soon.” It’s here. From AI grief apps to QR code plaques, families are turning to digital solutions to honor, remember, and process loss.

And they’re asking a simple question of funeral homes, estate planners, and hospices: Are you ready for this shift, or are you stuck in the past?

What exactly is “deathtech”?

MTL's QR code plaque is an example of deathtech.

Deathtech covers the innovations reshaping how society deals with death, grief, and remembrance. Examples include:

• Digital memorials and legacy platforms (curated tribute pages, QR code plaques).

• AI-driven grief tools (chatbots trained on loved ones’ texts/emails).

• Green and tech-forward burials (biodegradable pods, blockchain-based digital wills).

• Cloud-based estate planning (automated asset transfers, password managers).

For families, these tools make grieving and remembering more personal, accessible, and lasting. For businesses, they’re both an opportunity and a threat.

Why caskets and flowers aren’t enough anymore

Generational demand

Millennials and Gen Z now make up the largest share of decision-makers in funeral and estate planning. These generations are digital-first by nature. They expect memorials to live online — not just in cemeteries or photo albums.

Competition is heating up

Startups are moving fast. Tech-driven companies are offering sleek, affordable, and modern alternatives to traditional funeral services. Families who don’t see innovation in your offerings will simply bypass you.

Brand perception matters

Clients equate lack of digital options with irrelevance. If your services feel outdated, they’ll assume your business is too. That’s a reputational risk no professional can afford.

Deathtech isn’t replacing tradition—it’s expanding it

Some professionals fear that digital solutions will make traditional services obsolete. The truth? Families and loved ones want both.

• They want a physical service and a permanent online tribute.

• They want flowers at the ceremony and a QR code that leads to stories.

• They want a eulogy spoken in a room and shared in a video archive.

Deathtech doesn’t erase tradition. It amplifies it.

Why professionals hesitate—and why that’s dangerous

Common objections include:

• “It’s too technical for our clients.”Reality: Clients don’t need to manage the tech — you do. Or your partner does.

• “It’s not what people ask for.”Reality: They’re already asking for it—just not from you. They’re going to startups and DIY sites.

• “We don’t have the resources.”Reality: Partnerships with providers like MTL make it turnkey. You don’t need a tech team.

Inaction isn’t neutral. It’s risky. Every year you delay is another year competitors capture the market.

How to position yourself as a deathtech leader

Ready to partner with the right provider?

1. Audit your services: Where could digital offerings extend your client value?

2. Educate families: Present digital memorials not as “extra,” but as the new normal.

3. Partner wisely: Work with providers who can deliver reliability, security, and branding alignment.

4. Market the difference: Use digital services to signal that your business is progressive, relevant, and family-first.

The upside: What embracing deathtech gives your business

• Reputation as innovator: Families see you as forward-thinking, not dated.

• Higher revenue per service: Digital memorials are high-value upsells.

• Client loyalty and referrals: Families return and recommend when their experience exceeds expectations.

• Future-proof positioning: You’re aligned with generational expectations, not scrambling to catch up.

Deathtech is already here

The question isn’t whether deathtech will shape the industry. It already has.

The only question left is whether your business will lead, follow, or fall behind. Families aren’t waiting for funeral homes to catch up — they’re finding solutions on their own.

By embracing digital memorials and positioning yourself as a leader in deathtech, you don’t just protect your business.

You expand it. You elevate it. You future-proof it.

Because in 2025 and beyond, caskets and flowers alone won’t cut it.