A different final goodbye

As technology advances, AI and personalized ceremonies are transforming mourning, reflecting shifting attitudes toward remembrance and emotional connection.

When 17-year-old Bonny (pseudonym) was nearing the end of her life from cancer, her family and friends held a living funeral at her hospital bedside. The theme was two of her favorite things: purple and anime. Instead of the sorrow and tears of a traditional funeral, the room was filled with warmth, laughter, and the people she most wanted to see.

Li Yu, 36, helped organize the ceremony. She is a product designer at GuiCong, a funeral brand that creates personalized memorial services.