When the Funeral Director Is Also a Tech Innovator

It is never easy to talk about death. Whether you are pre-planning or facing a sudden loss, it can feel overwhelming to make decisions during a time that is already heavy with emotion. But what if the funeral space was not just stuck in tradition? What if it evolved with us, meeting grief with grace and pairing compassion with innovation? That is the vision shared by Matthew J. Grieco, a longtime funeral director who is leading a quiet revolution in end-of-life care.

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It is never easy to talk about death. Whether you are pre-planning or facing a sudden loss, it can feel overwhelming to make decisions during a time that is already heavy with emotion.

But what if the funeral space was not just stuck in tradition?
What if it evolved with us, meeting grief with grace and pairing compassion with innovation?

That is the vision shared by Matthew J. Grieco, a longtime funeral director who is leading a quiet revolution in end-of-life care.


The Funeral Is Changing, and That Is a Good Thing

Matt has spent over 30 years serving families. He has watched firsthand how funerals have shifted from cookie-cutter ceremonies to highly personalized life celebrations.

Today, fewer people are choosing religious leaders. Instead, many opt for professionally trained celebrants, who tell the story of a life in an emotionally honest way. These ceremonies often include photos, videos, favorite music, and a glass of wine rather than a prayer book.

This shift is not just cultural. It is deeply practical. People want meaning, not formality. They want connection, not obligation.


Why Technology Belongs in the Funeral Home

For Matt, embracing technology is not about abandoning tradition. It is about freeing up time to do what really matters. Being present with families.

He uses tools like Passare, a software platform that helps families submit information online, manage paperwork, and even begin writing obituaries with the help of Ai. This means fewer hours spent behind a desk and more space to guide people through some of their hardest days.

From voice-over-IP(VoIP) systems to video tributes and live-streamed services, every detail is designed to meet modern needs with empathy and efficiency.


Meet EverGrace: The Ai Voice Supporting the Bereaved

But the most groundbreaking part of Matt’s work?
Her name is EverGrace, an Ai-powered voice agent embedded into his funeral home’s website.

EverGrace is not a chatbot in the traditional sense. She speaks. She listens. She can pivot from answering logistical questions to detecting emotional distress and even escalate a call to a human when needed.

She is not there to replace the director. She is there to make that first call less terrifying. The one where you do not know what to say or who to talk to. The one that so many people now make in the middle of the night, not with a phone call but through a website form or email.

EverGrace bridges that gap with gentleness and consistency.


Helping Families, Not Replacing Humans

One thing Matt is clear about is that EverGrace does not eliminate human touch. Instead, she supports it.

She gathers data, answers basic questions, and knows when to hand off the conversation to a real funeral director. Her presence ensures that no email goes unanswered, no request is missed, and every family feels cared for even at 2 a.m.

She learns with every conversation. Her ability to serve improves while guardrails ensure she never goes off-script or gives inaccurate information.

She can even switch languages mid-conversation, such as responding to Spanish without skipping a beat.


Why This Matters More Than Ever

The funeral profession is rooted in 200 years of tradition. But Matt understands that grief is changing. Fewer people have long-standing relationships with their local funeral home. Many younger generations do not even know what a funeral director does.

They search online. They compare prices. They expect transparency.
And most of all, they need support that does not add to the overwhelm.

Technology like EverGrace does not just streamline processes. It allows humans to show up with more empathy, better information, and fewer dropped details.


Where Is the Funeral Industry Headed Next

Matt sees the future as one where funeral homes are less reactive and more proactive. Where Ai supports, but never replaces, the human connection at the heart of this work.

He believes technology can help funeral professionals show up more rested, more present, and more compassionate.

As more families begin to plan ahead, whether for themselves or someone they love. They will need tools that meet them with clarity and care.


Take a Gentle Step Forward

Whether you are pre-planning or navigating fresh grief, you do not have to do it all alone.

Start by having a conversation.
Reach out to a funeral director who embraces both tradition and technology.
Explore what tools like EverGrace can offer when you are not ready to talk to someone just yet.

And most of all, give yourself grace. You are doing the best you can with something no one is ever fully ready for.

🎧 To learn more about how Ai is changing funeral care for the better, watch the full episode with Matthew J. Grieco on The Digital Legacy Podcast.

🌐 Want to see EverGrace in action? Visit evergrace.ai to learn more about the Ai voice agent that is transforming how we connect with grieving families.


Take the Next Step: Start Planning with My Final Playbook


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The Gift of Asking: Why Funeral Registries Are the Future of Grieving

When someone we love dies, the silence that follows can be deafening. But almost immediately, another sound fills the air. It is the chorus of well-meaning friends and family asking, "How can I help?" It is a beautiful question that comes from a place of love. Yet, for the person deep in grief, that question can feel like a burden. You are exhausted and your brain is in a fog. You likely have no idea what you need, let alone how to articulate it. Maybe you need help paying for the funeral, which can cost upwards of $15,000. Maybe you just need someone to mow the lawn or pick up the kids from school. But saying that out loud feels impossible as it feels vulnerable. I recently sat down with Janet Turkula and Ryan Oliveira, the team behind GiveWillow, to talk about this exact dilemma. They have built something that feels both revolutionary and incredibly obvious. It is a registry for funerals. From Trauma to Tech: A Personal Story Janet’s journey to founding GiveWillow started in a place many of us fear. In 2010, she was just 21 years old when her father passed away suddenly . She was young, grieving, and completely unprepared for the reality of planning a funeral. Like many people, she assumed her dad would live well into his 80s or 90s. He was a blue-collar worker with no savings and no will . Suddenly, she was faced with funeral costs she could not afford while trying to process the trauma of losing her parent . Years later, a friend lost an uncle, and Janet wanted to help. She looked online for a way to send something meaningful. She wanted to do something other than sending flowers or a casserole. She found nothing . In a world where we can order a car or a meal with a single tap, there was no easy way to support a grieving family financially or practically. That gap in the market and in our culture of care birthed GiveWillow. Why a Registry? We have registries for weddings. We have them for babies. We even have wish lists for birthdays . These are all major life transitions where our community gathers around to support us. So why do we stop when it comes to the most difficult transition of all? A funeral registry works just like any other registry. You can select the specific things you need help with. This might include the big-ticket items like a casket, an urn, or catering for the reception . But it also includes the hidden costs that people often forget. These can include travel expenses for family members or even the fee for refrigeration at the funeral home. By listing these items, families can give their community a concrete way to help. Instead of a vague "let me know if you need anything," a friend can log on and see that they need help covering the cost of the flowers. It transforms a stressful question into a simple and actionable act of love. More Than Just Money One of the most touching parts of my conversation with Ryan was hearing about the "time and effort" feature on the platform. Not everyone needs financial help, and not everyone can afford to give money. But support comes in many forms. GiveWillow allows families to register for acts of service too. You can add items like "lawn care," "running errands," "childcare," or even just "sitting with me" to your registry . This is profound because it validates those needs. It tells the grieving person that it is okay to need help with the laundry or to need someone to drive the carpool. And for friends who want to help but do not have extra cash, it gives them a way to show up that is just as valuable. Breaking the Silence Around Cost We rarely talk about the price tag of death. It feels taboo to put a dollar amount on a funeral as if it somehow cheapens the loss. But the reality is that funerals are expensive. Ryan mentioned that simply going through the process of building a registry can be an eye-opening educational tool. It allows you to see the "sticker price" of your wishes before you are in the emotional heat of the moment. You might realize that the big party with the margarita bar you envisioned costs $15,000 . Knowing that ahead of time allows you to plan. It allows you to ask for help specifically for that celebration rather than being blindsided by the bill later. This transparency empowers families by taking the mystery and the shame out of the financial conversation. A Tool for the Living While GiveWillow is a lifeline for those who have just lost someone, it is also a powerful tool for those of us who are still here. We often think pre-planning is only for the elderly or the sick. But as Janet’s story reminds us, death can be sudden. Creating a registry now, even if you are young and healthy, is a gift to your future self and your family. It acts as a roadmap. It tells your loved ones exactly what you want. Do you want cremation? A green burial? A big party? It removes the guesswork during a time when their brains will be foggy with grief. Ryan noted that they are even seeing people with terminal illnesses use the platform to ask for help with medical bills alongside their funeral wishes . It is becoming a holistic way to support someone through their end-of-life journey. Overcoming the "Ick" Factor I know what some of you might be thinking. "Is it tacky to ask for money for a funeral?" "Does this feel too much like crowdfunding?" Janet was clear that this is not just about raising funds. It is about re-gifting community support. It is about channeling the love that people already want to give into the places where it will actually make a difference. We have all seen the GoFundMe campaigns that circulate after a tragedy. They have their place. But a registry feels different because it feels personal and intentional. It allows a friend to say that they bought the flowers for Dad's service rather than just throwing money into a pot. It creates a connection between the giver and the receiver that is rooted in care rather than just cash. A Small Step You Can Take Today If you are reading this and feeling a little overwhelmed, that is okay. You do not have to plan your entire funeral today. But maybe you can take one small step toward opening the conversation. Check out GiveWillow just to see what a funeral registry looks like. Notice the categories. See what things cost. Talk to your partner or a close friend about one thing you might want or definitely do not want at your own service. Breaking the silence is the first step toward taking back control. Death is the one certainty we all share. By planning for it, and by allowing our community to support us through it, we are not being morbid. We are being human. We are letting love have the last word. 🎧 To hear Janet and Ryan’s full conversation with Niki Weiss, watch the episode on The Digital Legacy Podcast. You can also explore their platform at GiveWillow.com.
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