When we think of technology startups, we often think of the latest app or gadget that will make our lives easier. But what about startups that are revolutionizing the afterlife?
Yes, you read that right. Death tech startups are on the rise, and they are changing the way we think about death and the afterlife.
What is Death Tech?
Death tech, also known as death care technology, is the use of technology to improve and innovate the funeral and death care industry. This includes everything from funeral planning and end-of-life services to grief support and memorialization.
The Rise of Death Tech Startups
The death care industry has traditionally been slow to adopt new technology, but that is changing. With the rise of death tech startups, the industry is being forced to adapt and modernize.
According to a report, death tech startups have raised over $1 billion in funding from 2019 till now. This shows that investors are recognizing the potential for innovation in this industry.
Why Death Tech Startups are Important
Death is a universal experience, yet it is often a taboo subject in our society. Death tech startups are breaking down these barriers and bringing much-needed innovation to an industry that has been stagnant for far too long.
1. Personalization and customization
One of the main benefits of tech startups is the ability to personalize and customize end-of-life services. From personalized caskets and urns to virtual memorials and online obituaries, death tech startups, like SafiriSalama.com are giving families more options to honor their loved ones in a unique and meaningful way.
2. Accessibility and convenience
Death tech startups are also making end-of-life services more accessible and convenient. With the rise of online funeral planning and virtual grief support, families can now access these services from the comfort of their own homes. This was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, where traditional funeral services were limited.
3. Sustainability and environmental impact
Another important aspect of tech startups is their focus on sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices. From eco-friendly caskets and urns to green burial options, these startups are offering more environmentally conscious choices for end-of-life services.
How Death Tech Startups are Revolutionizing the Death Care Industry
1. Customization
One of the main ways tech startups are disrupting the death care industry is by offering more personalized and customizable services. Traditional funeral homes often offer a one-size-fits-all approach, but death tech startups are changing that.
For example, Safiri Salama, a death tech startup, provides a healing alternative by offering a simple way to announce a death, plan a funeral, grieve, celebrate, and remember a life in a way that is distant but not isolated.
Every SafiriSalama tribute memorial page displays the deceased’s profile picture, while the About page lists important information about that person, their family, and their life milestones. You can post up-to-date information on the Noticeboard regarding funeral arrangements, and a tasteful Gallery showcases photos and videos. The Tribute section is where friends and relatives can Tell a Story, Lay a virtual flower, or Light a virtual candle.
2. Digitalization of death care services
Another way tech startups are revolutionizing the death care industry is by digitizing and modernizing traditional services. This includes everything from funeral planning and obituaries to grief support and memorialization.
A death tech like Safiri Salama offers a digital platform for sharing obituaries and funeral information with friends and family. This allows for a more efficient and widespread way to communicate important information during a time of loss.
3. Innovative grief support
Grief support is an essential aspect of the death care industry, and death tech startups are finding innovative ways to provide it. These startups are using technology to connect people with grief support resources and provide a more personalized and accessible experience.
Innovative Death Tech Startup Ideas
Now that we understand the importance of deathtech startups, let’s take a look at some of the most innovative ideas in this industry.
1. Virtual reality funeral services
Virtual reality (VR) technology has the potential to revolutionize the funeral industry. With VR, families can attend a funeral service from anywhere in the world, making it easier for loved ones to say goodbye. This technology also has the potential to create virtual memorials and allow people to visit the gravesite of a loved one without leaving their home.
2. Digital legacy planning
Digital legacy planning is becoming increasingly important as more of our lives are lived online. SafiriSalama.com, an African death tech startup based in Kenya allows families to plan and manage their loved ones’ digital assets after they pass away.
3. Grief support apps
This is an essential part of the death care industry, and death tech startups are finding new ways to provide this support through technology. Grief support apps offer resources, tools, and online communities for individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
4. Biodegradable caskets
As mentioned earlier, sustainability is a key focus for many death tech startups. Biodegradable caskets are made from eco-friendly materials and are designed to break down naturally over time. This is a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional caskets, which can take decades to decompose.
Challenges Facing Death Tech Startups
While these startups have the potential to revolutionize the death care industry, they also face some challenges.
1. Resistance to change
As with any industry, there is resistance to change within the death care industry. Some funeral homes and cemeteries may be hesitant to adopt new technology, especially here in Africa, making it difficult for death tech startups to gain traction.
2. Lack of regulation
The death care industry is highly regulated, and death tech startups must navigate these regulations to bring their ideas to market. This can be a barrier for startups, as they may not have the resources to comply with these regulations.
3. Stigma surrounding death
Death is still a taboo subject in many societies, and this stigma can make it challenging for death tech startups to gain acceptance and funding. However, as more people become aware of the benefits of these startups, this stigma is slowly being broken down.
The Future of Death Tech
The death tech industry is still in its early stages, but the potential for growth and innovation is immense. As technology continues to advance and society’s attitudes towards death and dying evolve, we can expect to see even more death tech startups emerge.
Some experts predict that in the future, deathtech startups will offer virtual reality experiences for grieving loved ones to connect with the deceased. Others believe that artificial intelligence will play a role in end-of-life planning and grief support.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: death tech startups are changing the death care industry for the better.
The Future of Death Tech Startups
Despite these challenges, the future looks bright for death tech startups. As technology continues to advance and society becomes more open to discussing death, we can expect to see even more innovation in this industry.
1. Integration with other industries
One of the most exciting possibilities for death tech startups is the integration with other industries. For example, VR technology could be used in the healthcare industry to help patients cope with end-of-life care. This integration has the potential to improve the overall experience for individuals and families during this difficult time.
2. Expansion into global markets
Death tech startups are not limited to one country or culture. As these startups continue to grow and expand, we can expect to see them enter global markets and bring their innovative ideas to different cultures and traditions.
Examples of Death Tech Startups
1 SafiriSalama.com
SafiriSalama.com which takes its name from the Swahili words “Safiri Salama,” which translate to “Go in Peace” and “Travel Safely” and are often used as a farewell during bereavement, is venturing into a territory that few others in Africa have explored.
This Kenyan death tech start-up is reinventing end-of-life planning, making the unpleasant task of bereavement in all its facets easier and manageable.
SafiriSalama.com offers these services:
- Death Notices enable the creation of affordable and user-controlled digital death announcements that can be shared across multiple social media platforms.
- Memorials provide a subscription to a one-stop-shop including a user-friendly noticeboard for managing a loved one’s funeral process, preserving memories (galleries, links) and narratives collected through obituaries and eulogies, and enabling discovery through search engines.
- The Redbook, a B2B & B2C product and services online directory that connects verified service providers in the funeral/grief industry with families. It features over 50 categories of direct, indirect, and accessory providers.
Click here to watch John Nyongesa, founder/CEO of Safiri Salama share the story behind the brand.
2. SOKNA
An Egyptian funeraltech startup that enables “the funeral industry in Egypt. Since launching in late 2020, the company has enjoyed a rapid expansion – growing threefold in the past year alone.
To date, SOKNA has operational partnerships with over 20 hospitals and corporates in Greater Cairo alone, has amassed more than 70 partner vendors, and has performed more than 2,500 funerals.
In Nigeria, there are funeral services like APAMs. A leading funeral logistics company in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Death tech startups are revolutionizing the death care industry by offering more personalized and customizable services, digitizing traditional services, and providing innovative grief support. As the death tech market continues to grow, we can expect to see even more startups emerge and transform the way we think about death and dying.
Whether you’re planning for a loved one end-of-life, deathtech startups offer a new and modern approach to death care services. Embracing these innovations can help us better cope with loss and honor the memory of those we have lost.
