Condolence Letters and AI [Artificial Intelligence]

Condolence letters are one small sliver of what AI can do. Everyone is talking about AI–Artificial Intelligence. The world changed when OpenAI announced the launch of AI ChatGPT. See this link: https://openai.com/

Since ChatGPT, both Google and Microsoft have launched their own variants. Google is called Bard, accessible at this link: https://bard.google.com/ The Microsoft version is built into Bing, their version of Google. It seems you need to be using Microsoft’s Edge browser to make it work. If you have Edge, Microsoft’s latest browser, this link should take you to Bing Chat: Bing AI – Search

You can use ChatGPT to do simple queries in English, e.g., “who killed Adrianna on the Sopranos?” or “what’s the best hotel in Casablanca?” This is NOT what the big deal is about. You can ask AI to write a business letter, or a term paper, or a thesis. This is scaring the heck out of school administrators. You can ask it to write code for programming, which can eventually cause turmoil in job markets. It may also put many paralegals and lawyers out of work.

Relevant to AfterTalk, I asked Bard, Google’s Artificial Intelligence program to draft condolence letters. My requests are in bold. The first one is the best, I thought, for a letter to someone on the anniversary of a death. Then I asked for a series of condolence letters for spouses, parents, and siblings. They are fundamentally similar. The “Here are some additional things..” at the end of the last one appeared with each of them.

I am not suggesting you use these letters as is, but if you are struggling for what to say, they can be a good starting off point.

write a note to comfort the grieving on the anniversary of a death

Dear [Name],

I am so sorry to hear that today is the anniversary of the death of your loved one. I know that this is a difficult time for you, and I want to offer my sincere condolences.

I can only imagine the pain and grief that you are feeling right now. I want you to know that you are not alone. I am here for you, and I will do whatever I can to help you through this difficult time.

Please know that it is okay to feel whatever you are feeling. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Allow yourself to cry, to be angry, to feel sad, or to feel whatever else you need to feel.

If you need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am here for you, and I will listen to you without judgment.

I also want to encourage you to reach out to other people who knew your loved one. They may be able to offer you support and comfort during this difficult time.

Finally, please know that I am thinking of you and your loved one today. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

With love,

write a condolence letter for a parent

Dear [Name],

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your [parent]. I know how close you two were, and I can only imagine the pain you must be feeling right now.

Your [parent] was a wonderful person. They were kind, compassionate, and always there for you. They were a great [parent], and they will be deeply missed by all who knew them.

I know there are no words that can truly express the pain of losing a loved one. But I want you to know that you are not alone in this. I am here for you, and I will do whatever I can to help you through this difficult time.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I would be happy to bring you a meal, run errands, or just sit with you and talk.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

write a condolence letter for a husband

Dear [Name],

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband, [Name]. I know how close you two were, and I can only imagine the pain you must be feeling right now.

[Name] was a wonderful man. He was kind, compassionate, and always put others before himself. He was a great husband, father, and friend, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

I know there are no words that can truly express the pain of losing a loved one. But I want you to know that you are not alone in this. I am here for you, and I will do whatever I can to help you through this difficult time.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I would be happy to bring you a meal, run errands, or just sit with you and talk.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

write a condolence letter for a wife