memori

The challenge

Grief is one of the most personal and emotionally complex experiences we faceMany people feel overwhelmed and unprepared when they lose a loved one, especially when it comes to organizing a funeral and processing their emotions. My bachelor how digital design can provide both emotional guidance and practical structure in such moments. Based on user-centered research and interviews I developed a sensitive digital tool that supports relatives through funeral planning while offering space for personal grieving.

In Collaboration With

Project type

Bachelor thesis

Duration

5 months

Methods used

Semi-structured interviews
Qualitative coding
Personas
User Journey
Usability Testing

Applications used

Figma, Photoshop, Condens

My Roles

UX Designer, User Researcher

Phase 1

Why I chose this topic

In Germany, death and grief are still largely taboo and people are left feeling overwhelmed and unprepared when they lose a loved one. Around 9.8% of grieving adults show symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), with older individuals being particularly at risk. Beyond the emotional impact, the funeral planning process adds a significant layer of stress: many do not know what steps to take, what decisions to make, or where to find support. This project was driven by the question of how design can offer both emotional guidance and practical structure—creating space for grief without adding pressure.

60% of Germans believe that death is not discussed openly enough

9.8% of grieving people experience symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder – a condition with similarities to depression

Beyond emotional challenges, the funeral planning process brings additional stress, leaving people unsure of what to do or where to begin

Phase 2

Building a theoretical foundation

Dealing with loss is a highly individual experience

There is no single source of truth regarding the grieving process

The more traumatic and unexpected the death, the more likely a person is to develop an unhealthy grieving process

To gain a deeper understanding of the grieving experience and the risks associated with unprocessed grief, I conducted a review of psychological and clinical research. The findings revealed that grieving is a profoundly individual process that can manifest emotionally, cognitively, and socially — and for each person, this journey looks different. There is no single path through grief. Established frameworks such as Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ "five stages of grief" offer orientation but must be interpreted as flexible guides rather than fixed sequences. This phase of the project laid the groundwork to ensure that emotional sensitivity and psychological insight could be translated into a meaningful and supportive digital design.

Phase 3

What do the users need?

To understand how a digital application could truly support grieving relatives by finding out about their needs and wished, I conducted ten in-depth interviews with relatives.

The participants shared personal stories of confusion, emotional overload, and a lack of guidance - especially when faced with planning a funeral for the first time.

Many young interviewees described feeling lost, unsure of which steps to take in case of a loss, and overwhelmed by organizational responsibilities.

Alongside logistical challenges, emotional isolation was a recurring theme. Several participants spoke about feeling misunderstood by professionals - such as funeral speakers not listening closely to what mattered to them.

"I don't know what to do if I needed to plan a funeral."

"I felt very lonely."

"I didn't talk about my feelings and therefore didn't process them."

The product should provide a clear guidance for funeral planning

The app should also offer gentle emotional support

The application should be flexible and encourage personalisation

Final requirements

The app should provide structured support with checklists and explanations to help users to navigate the planning process with confidence. It should rather complement, not replace, the role of the funeral director.

To avoid overwhelming users, the app should offer optional, low-barrier access to emotional support tools such as a grief journal, community features. It should create a space for reflection without pressure.

The app should adapt to individual needs and local traditions. It allows for personal tribute customization, while making regional support services – like grief groups or memorial walks – easily accessible to reduce isolation and promote healing.

Phase 4

Who is the target audience?

Paula Pensive

After losing her grandfather to dementia, Paula feels emotionally affected and also practically excluded from the funeral planning process. Her main focus lies in supporting her family, contributing from a distance, and preserving memories. She values tools that offer structure, transparency, and emotional connection – especially for collaborative planning and memory-sharing.

Simon Skeptisch

Simon, a 30-year-old project manager, lost his best friend in a car accident. He suppresses his emotions and avoids talking about grief, which leads to emotional isolation. He seeks a private, low-pressure space to process his feelings at his own pace. His usage centers around discreet support tools like journaling, anonymous exchange, and guidance for managing grief without emotional overload.

Phase 5

What the solution looks like

After creating and testing a mid-fidelity prototype with the target audience, I developed a high-fidelity prototype based on the findings.

The application includes a structured checklist to guide users through the funeral planning process. Families can collaborate on organizing the ceremony, and a dedicated memorial space allows them to honor and remember the deceased in a personal way.In addition, the app provides emotional support tools for those grieving. Users can access informative articles for better self-understanding, write reflections in a grief diary, and connect anonymously with others through a safe communication space.

This version of the prototype was also tested with users. Feedback confirmed that the app felt helpful, calming, and sensitive to the needs of people experiencing loss.

Reflection

My learnings

I strengthened my ability to structure and manage a long-term project independent while staying organized and focused across all phases

I gained confidence in designing user-centered digital solutions for emotionally complex and sensitive topics

I refined my research skills by conducting in-depth interviews and transforming qualitative insights into actionable design decisions