Grief-tech

Market & User Research, MVP Creation and Product Strategy

    • Competitor Analysis

    • In-depth Interviews

    • Persona definition

    • User flows

    • wireframing and prototyping

    • Sketch

    • Google suite

    • Miro (for Analysis and documentation)

  • Sole UX Researcher, Designer and strategist assigned to research the feasibility of the concept and create the first MVP.

Connecting Diaspora Communities Through Digital Remembrance

SriLanken Memorial Platform

This project addresses a human need observed in the Sri Lankan diaspora: maintaining meaningful connections with loved ones across borders, even after death. The challenge became particularly acute during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions prevented many from attending funerals and participating in traditional remembrance practices in their homeland.

What began as a solution for Sri Lanka's global community quickly demonstrated universal appeal. The platform's rapid adoption showed an opportunity: helping other diaspora communities maintain their cultural practices of remembrance.

This case study reflects on transforming a culturally-specific need and a market opportunity into a scalable digital solution, connecting Diaspora Communities Through Digital Remembrance

SriLanken Origins

To bring the SriLanken Memorial platform to German users as well as the Tamil community in Germany in the form of an MVP. The deliverables agreed upon were:

  1. User Research on German grief culture &
    their behaviour in regards to funerals, burials, grief and remembrance.

  2. Competitor Analysis of existing products in the German marketplace.

  3. A first draft of an MVP (in wireframes)

Discovery Research

Plan and execution through In depth Interviews with Undertakers & social media survey with potential users

Primary Research: Industry Expert Interviews We conducted in-depth interviews with 10 funeral directors across Berlin (representing contemporary, multicultural perspectives) and Stuttgart (providing insights into traditional German practices).

Digital Behavior Analysis To validate our findings against modern digital behaviors, we implemented a social media survey (n=50). This approach specifically challenged traditional assumptions about public grief expression in German culture.

In-Depth User Interviews From our survey respondents, we selected six participants representing key age demographics (15-30, 30-50, 50+) for detailed interviews.

Research Scope While this research established clear directional insights, we identified opportunities for future validation studies to further strengthen our findings in this evolving cultural landscape

Research Insights

Highlights

  • Tamil communities tend to be more vocal and more public with their grief, in comparison to German communities who tend to be more inward and private with their grief.

  • German users would tend to use the memorial page a few times, more when the funeral is being planned and the burial is still a fresh memory. As time passes they would use it less until eventually only on birthdays and anniversaries. Unlike the Tamil community who login, check on and also post on memorial pages on an almost bi weekly pattern.

  • More German users are becoming more accepting of digital alternatives to traditional in-person meetings. This is more with younger age groups.

  • The undertaker plays a large and crucial role in the funeral industry and grief culture. The undertaker is the main contact point between the grievers and the government, funeral home, crematorium and cemetery.

  • Undertakers handle all of the bureaucratic procedures and paperwork for the family.

Memoria

MVP recommendations and deliverables

Core Design Philosophy Through stakeholder collaboration, we developed a streamlined web application prioritizing simplicity and user sensitivity during emotional periods. Our approach focused on minimizing cognitive load through an intuitive user journey.

User Experience Architecture The platform features simplified authentication with automatic profile creation, enabling immediate access to memorial page creation. This reflects our commitment to reducing friction during sensitive moments.

Memorial Page Design We implemented minimal customization options and curated design themes to reduce decision fatigue while ensuring dignified memorials. Users receive their memorial page link via email or SMS for convenient sharing.

MVP Feature Set Our core functionality includes virtual funeral livestreaming, memorial page creation, multimedia memory sharing, and a streamlined user profile system.

Minimum Viable Product

Wireframes & delivered screens

Wireframes

Delivered screens

New Life - Recommendation

Market Analysis & Strategic Pivot

Key Market Insight Our research revealed a significant opportunity within the Grieftech sector, specifically in serving funeral directors rather than end consumers. In the German market, funeral directors operate as central industry facilitators, managing comprehensive client relationships and diverse service offerings.

Professional Service Scope German funeral directors manage an extensive portfolio including memorial products, legal documentation, and client relationship management. However, their current tools range from basic project management systems to paper-based solutions, with existing industry software proving inadequate.

Current Market Gap Despite their complex operational needs, funeral directors currently rely on fragmented solutions ranging from basic project management tools to paper-based systems. Existing industry software has proven inadequate, with users reporting significant usability challenges.

Strategic Recommendation Based on these findings, we proposed a strategic pivot to develop a comprehensive B2B solution:

  1. Target the DACH region's funeral service providers

  2. Develop an integrated platform addressing core operational needs

  3. Create a unified system for task, inventory, and document management

  4. Incorporate memorial page functionality as a value-added service offering

This approach not only addresses an identified market need but also establishes a sustainable revenue model through professional service providers while maintaining the original memorial page concept as a complementary offering.

Delivered Screen

Wireframe

Delivered Screen

Our research revealed two key opportunities in German Grieftech: digital memorial spaces and funeral service operations digitization. While changing attitudes toward online grieving emerged among younger demographics, the more pressing need lies in modernizing funeral directors' operational systems. This insight led to our strategic pivot toward a B2B solution that addresses both operational efficiency and digital memorial services.

Next Development Phases

Implementation Strategy We recommend a phased approach starting with core operational tools in Berlin and Stuttgart, followed by expansion across the DACH region. Initial focus will be on document management, client communications, and service coordination systems.

Product Evolution Future development should focus on integrating advanced features such as:

  • Enhanced CRM capabilities tailored to funeral service providers

  • Automated documentation workflows

  • Digital memorial space integration

  • API connections with relevant government and administrative systems

New Life

The one point contact software for undertakers

Wireframes

What is next

Where do we go from here?

While you’re here, check out this project!

UX Design in Construction

Ethical Research Methodology for Sensitive Topics

Researching end-of-life services required special ethical considerations:
- Developed a two-phase consent process ensuring participants could withdraw at any point without explanation (example consent form attached)
- Created specialized interview guidelines with trauma-informed language reviewed by German grief counselors
- Implemented "emotional wellbeing checks" during research sessions.
- Formed research cohorts representing Berlin's diverse population, including Turkish-German communities with specific cultural practices around death