Bianfe Co., Ltd.
Use IKIRU, an AI specializing in funeral narration, to create special funerals even on a small scale and on a low budget.
Generating AI creates words that depict the life of the deceased and touch the hearts of the bereaved family and mourners.
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In April 2021, the AI narration creation system -IKIRU- became a hot topic after realizing the creation of a funeral narration manuscript using AI for the first time in Japan. The developer, Bianfe Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Bianfe.), released the beta version of its new version (V6) on April 1, 2024.
Even with small, low-budget funerals, we want to increase the satisfaction of the bereaved family and attendees. There are many funeral homes that think so. In order to create such a high-quality and special funeral, “IKIRU” depicts the personality and life of the deceased, and provides narration and funeral notes with words of love that express the feelings of the bereaved family.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/139880/3/resize/d139880-3-eeb0ea3aa1c4146a92e1-2.png&s3=139880-3-46b96b899840edc750a7307739670b57-3840×2160.png ]
●“IKIRU” spells out the words of the deceased and the bereaved family Recently, the number of small-scale, low-budget funerals has increased, and most of the newly built funeral halls, especially in urban areas, are designed exclusively for family funerals. In addition, unmanned systems are likely to be adopted more and more in the future, allowing the bereaved family to use the facility freely and staff visiting only when necessary.
However, compared to the hardware aspects, the software aspects are lagging behind. A funeral is a ceremony, and a ceremony requires a master of ceremonies and direction. The key to this is the “words”, or narration, sent to the deceased upon their departure. The words of the narration express the personality and proof of the deceased’s life, as well as the love and gratitude of the bereaved family who sent the message. -IKIRU- is an AI created to spell out the most important words of narration at funerals.
●“IKIRU” was born from 100,000 manuscripts written by a funeral specialist
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/139880/3/resize/d139880-3-a7962646a68709b3cb4c-0.jpg&s3=139880-3-bb2cb43c35900b911c150b30798391c4-1384×1500.jpg] -IKIRU- was born from a huge amount of narration manuscripts written by Yuko Okano (currently CEO of Bianfe), who has been working as a funeral specialist for a quarter of a century since the 1980s. The development team converted all of the 100,000 pages of manuscript paper and 40 million characters of sentences spoken at over 10,000 funerals into data. Through this, the AI learns the structure, style, rhythm, and phrasing that are common to funeral narrations. We succeeded in developing -IKIRU-, which automatically creates a narration manuscript just by allowing the bereaved family to answer questions during the hearing.
The original version will be released in April 2021. After that, we exhibited it at various exhibitions and repeated presentations to update its functions, and by the end of 2023, 30 funeral homes nationwide have introduced and are using it.
●The 6th version is an innovative evolution
This new version, which has been updated for the sixth time, has greatly evolved by incorporating the functions of the generative AI “ChatGPT” that creates sentences in addition to the conventional “Okano Data” specialized in funeral narration.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/139880/3/resize/d139880-3-087db630a4a426dd1947-3.jpg&s3=139880-3-359f7a67e88f7277b396451b8a58116d-1839×1252.jpg] Yuko Okano funeral narration manuscript data x generation AI → Funeral narration AI “IKIRU” V6
Patent pending (patent application 2023-120016)
Applying for IT introduction subsidy
●Five features that make full use of the functions of generation AI 1. Use a dedicated age-specific hearing sheet
When preparing the manuscript, we interview the bereaved family, and the appropriate questions will vary depending on the age of the deceased. For example, if you are an elderly person, you will be talking about “career or life path” or “turning points or events in your life,” if you are young, you will be talking about
“achievements or things you are proud of,” and if you are a child, you will be talking about “special moments in your growth and development,” such as learning your first words or words. “The day I walked alone”, “What I wanted to be when I grew up”, etc. With this in mind, the new version of “IKIRU” thoroughly pursues prompts (questions that allow the AI to generate appropriate responses and results) and prepares hearing sheets appropriate to the age of the deceased. We have made it possible for the bereaved family to respond while remembering the deceased’s life and cheerful appearance during his or her lifetime.
2. Save labor by using your smartphone
At the hearing, the bereaved family can choose from two ways to respond. One is the traditional handwritten response method. The bereaved family fills out the hearing sheet by hand, and the staff enters the information into the computer.
Another method I would like to recommend is the newly introduced method using a smartphone. The bereaved family reads the
two-dimensional code (QR code) with their smartphone, enters it themselves, and sends it to the funeral home. The staff in charge will confirm the information you have entered. This method saves the time required for data entry and saves staff time.
3. Easy to complete and edit the manuscript in 1-2 minutes from inputting Once you enter the information, it only takes 1 to 2 minutes to create a manuscript. Once the manuscript is completed, it can be revised and edited until the bereaved family is satisfied with it. Editing is easy and creates accurate narration manuscripts.
4. Simultaneously create third-person text (narration) and
first-person text (funeral note)
You can easily convert a narration manuscript to a funeral greeting card manuscript with the touch of a button.
The major difference is that a narration is a third-person text read by a narrator (MC), while a funeral thank you note is a first-person text written by the bereaved family (chief mourner). In other words, there are two types of writing: objective writing that conveys the overall picture of the deceased and the bereaved family, and subjective writing that conveys the feelings of the bereaved family more strongly. A major feature of the new version is the ability to convert two types of text with the same content but different viewpoints with a single touch.
5. Voice reading function will be added in the future
Currently, the role of “IKIRU” is to create narration manuscripts and manuscripts for funeral notes, but we plan to add a voice reading function in a future version update.
Voice reading by AI is already being used in TV news programs, etc., but Bianfe.’s “IKIRU” is currently developing a voice reading function for emotional funeral narration, and this function will help funeral homes with staff shortages. We will also solve the problem. Please look forward to it.
★Message from the chief engineer [Please look forward to AI “IKIRU”, which will evolve powerfully in a society with high mortality] Bianfe Co., Ltd. AI development team: Kairi Nakahara
“IKIRU” has undergone repeated improvements. We are proud that the newly upgraded IKIRU V6 has become a product with which we can be confident. Reborn as the new IKIRU, we have significantly improved the program that generates the basics of sentences, and by using ChatGPT in conjunction with it, the accuracy of sentences has been greatly improved, and we are able to generate sentences that incorporate specific episodes about the deceased.
★Message from the Chief Producer [Excitement when personal texts are generated using AI “IKIRU”]
Bianfe Co., Ltd. AI development team: Noriko Hashimoto
During the development of “IKIRU” V6, I was mainly in charge of the interview content and AI prompts.
It was noted that the expected sentences could not be produced through hearings that were common to all ages. Based on my past experience in “developmental psychology” and “childcare/nursing care”, I have divided the children into age groups based on the “eight
developmental stages” proposed by Erikson’s “psychosocial
development theory.”
We want many people to experience the thrill of generating personal texts in a short amount of time.
●Usage fee setting
Installation cost: 50,000 yen (excluding tax)
Monthly usage fee: 50,000 yen (excluding tax)
1 account issued 15,000 yen (excluding tax)
Additional account is 20,000 yen (excluding tax)
●Try the beta version at the free web seminar: Every Monday in April and May from 14:00 to 15:00
You can try out the beta version released on April 1st at this free webinar. Please feel free to participate, fill out the hearing sheet yourself, and watch “IKIRU” type out the sentences.
Every Monday from April 1st to May 27th (4/1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 5/6, 13, 20, 27) It is held from 14:00 to 15:00. Please feel free to join us from the URL below. Webinar URL https://x.gd/ikiru_v6_sem
“IKIRU” is a service that Bianfe. is proud to provide, but after actually trying it out at a funeral home, we received feedback such as “It’s difficult to use” and “I’d like to improve it a little more.” I hope we can make it easier to use. We plan to release the full version in about a month, taking into account your feedback.
●The complete version will be unveiled at “Funeral Business Fair 2024” and officially released on June 1st.
Bienfa will be held at “Funeral Business Fair 2024” (@Pacifico Yokohama) to be held on May 29th (Wednesday) and 30th (Thursday). Yuko Okano and Kairi Nakahara will give a presentation on the complete version, and the complete version will be on sale from June 1st (Saturday).
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/139880/3/resize/d139880-3-7bae9202a09719e717ca-1.jpg&s3=139880-3-08ebed3f074e0fb3e96a65545350f3f0-3900×2925.jpg] ★Top Message [Creating a one-of-a-kind funeral with “AI IKIRU”] Bianfe Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Yuko Okano
We want to create a unique and moving ceremony to convey our gratitude to our loved ones. I’m sure everyone involved in funerals carries out their work with these feelings in mind.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a general funeral or a small funeral. Funerals are the final moments of life where we say goodbye, and are the most important time to express our gratitude. That’s why I want AI and humans to work together to create the best ceremony possible. With that in mind, we have continued development.
AI was still considered a rarity when the original version was released three years ago, but since the introduction of ChatGPT, it has rapidly penetrated society. From now on, we will enter an era where humans and AI will coexist. We would love to bring AI to funerals, where life’s ending is solemnly decorated. We hope that this new version will be used by more funeral homes across the country as a popular version. We look forward to hearing from you.
*As samples, we will post an example of a narration created using the new version of -IKIRU- based on the contents of the hearing, and an example of a funeral thank you letter. I would appreciate it if you could refer to it.
⌨ Input information
Name of the deceased: Ms. Tsutako Fukushima (female) Date of birth: January 2, 1920 Date of death: March 27, 2020 (95 years old) Chief mourner: Son Other information: -Family: daughter , son-in-law, 1 grandchild (her husband passed away 15 years ago); her descendants are 1 son, 2 daughters, and 4 grandchildren; she is from Nakamura Ward, Nagoya; When my children were small, I was a mother who often got angry because I had a large family and had to take care of
everyone.・They looked relieved after becoming a nuclear family.・He had pictures of his grandchildren from when he was little, and he loved them very much. -When my husband was still alive, I helped him run his own business.・After that, I went on trips, participated in women’s group activities, and played gateball. She was also caring for her husband.・After my husband passed away, I felt lonely.・After that, my legs became weak and I entered a facility.・I couldn’t go see him because of the coronavirus, but when I saw him for the first time in a while, he looked nice, so I thought it would be okay to come pick him up anytime. I think it was a big success.・I want to say, “Thank you for your hard work. Thank you. Please live happily and happily with your father over there.”
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������ Narration example
The cherry blossoms are blooming, signaling the arrival of spring. Even the flower buds that have just begun to emerge from the soil continue to grow taller each day without stopping time. Princess Tsutako was born in Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City on January 2, 1920, and passed away on March 27, 2020 at the age of 95. Princess Tsutako was a bright and reliable person who devoted herself to her family from a young age.While her husband was still alive, she supported her own business, and later enjoyed hobbies such as traveling, participating in women’s groups, and playing gateball. I was worried about whether she would be able to overcome the loneliness she felt after losing her husband, but she continued to live her life without forgetting her passion for Bon dance and traveling. In addition, Princess Tsutako, whose love for her family is second to none, was a strict mother who took care of everyone when she had a large family, but after becoming a nuclear family, she seemed to have a more gentle expression on her face. is. I heard that he had a special love for his grandchildren, displaying a photo of them when they were little and calling them “so cute.” In his later years, he spent a lot of time in a facility, but said, “I couldn’t go see him because of the coronavirus, but when I saw him for the first time in a while, he looked nice and made me feel like it was okay to come pick me up anytime.” “I felt even worse,” said a family member. I have experienced many times over a long period of time, and in the end I feel like I have passed away. Even from my family’s perspective, I can feel the respect and gratitude they have for me so much that I don’t need to say anything other than “Thank you for your hard work.” The strength and kindness he showed at every stage of his life, and his bright and positive attitude until the end, have left behind many memories and lessons for those left behind. Tsutako lived through turbulent times, faced many difficulties and hardships, and continued to walk towards a better tomorrow. Now, the photo at the altar is saying thank you and farewell to everyone who attended. And Tsutako-sama’s gentle expression and warm voice will remain in everyone’s hearts.
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Funeral thank you letter example
-title-
Please feel safe over there.
-Text-
My mother passed away at the end of her long life at the age of 95, surrounded by everyone. My mother was a bright and determined person who supported her family and built deep bonds with many people. When my children were small, I often got angry as the center of a large family, but that was because I was thinking of everyone first. After becoming a nuclear family, I often see her relieved expressions, and her love for her grandchildren is even stronger. I always loved it, decorating it with photos of my grandchildren. I have many wonderful memories of them enjoying their hobbies such as Bon dance and traveling. She seemed to have felt lonely after breaking up with her husband, but I think she enjoyed spending time with new friends during her time at the facility. My mother has devoted herself to caring for her husband and participating in community activities while helping with her own business. The words “Thank you for your hard work. Thank you” overflow from my heart. I want you to live happily and happily with your father over there. With these wishes in mind, I think of my mother here today. I will not forget the days we spent together, the love you showed me, and the many things you taught me, and I will send you off with gratitude. My mother, Tsutako Fukushima, passed away on March 27, 2020 at the age of 95. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us thus far. Thank you very much for visiting us despite your busy schedule. Please, everyone, please take care of yourself. I would like to extend my greetings by writing a short letter.
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