Transforming grief in the digital age: liveful’s journey from loss to innovation

Keng Low, a startup investor and co-founder of Finantier, recently launched liveful, a new digital platform aiming to redefine how Singapore approaches commemorating loved ones. The startup has already raised undisclosed funding from CapitaLand Investment (through its corporate venturing arm supported by the CapitaLand Innovation Fund) and Rainmaking APAC, besides EDB’s Corporate Venture Launchpad programme.

We sat down with liveful founder and CEO Low, who shared the personal inspiration behind the new venture and the innovative features that set it apart in the digital landscape.

Turning personal loss into a collective cause

The genesis of liveful is deeply personal for Low, who transitioned from the fintech world to tackle a critical gap in Singapore’s societal fabric. The passing of both his grandmothers fuelled a quest to revolutionise how we navigate and commemorate loss. The founder’s frustration with the archaic processes of funeral planning led to the birth of liveful, a new digital platform supporting how individuals navigate the emotional and logistic challenges of loss online. The new platform aims to bridge deeply personal and unmet local community needs.

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“Plans for the average funeral procession begin rolling out within 12-24 hours — meaning those closest to the departed are often bogged down trying to make sense of unfamiliar logistics, admin and more, instead of being present in grief. This frustration evolved into a broader realisation: countless others in Singapore faced or will face these same challenges,” he said.

“It’s ironic that this story exists amid all the startups and digitally-driven innovations around us. It was here that liveful was born — out of a personal journey that resonated with a collective experience, aiming to innovate in a space that time and technology seemed to have overlooked,” Low explained.

Shaping the cultural landscape

Liveful’s recent survey indicates a growing acceptance of digital grief expression in Singapore. The founder envisions this trend evolving into a more open and compassionate society, with liveful playing a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape around discussing loss online. The platform offers a unified space for communal support and individual healing, fostering a community that embraces the digital expression of grief.

“Our survey reflects a shift towards digital grief expression in Singapore. Guided by the right tools, I see this trend evolving Singapore into a more open, accepting and compassionate society. liveful plays a pivotal role in this, offering a platform that normalises discussing loss online, providing a space for communal support and individual healing. We want to offer a leap forward with a unified platform that intuitively aligns with the digital behaviours of Singaporeans seeking solace and guidance amidst loss. Our aim is not just to be a part of the digital landscape but to make liveful a familiar, comforting presence in the unique grief journey of each individual,” he added.

Capturing memories and managing legal aspects

liveful aims to better address existing needs in the grief journey by connecting those experiencing loss to the spectrum of choices around 1) the expression of loss, (2) how they commemorate loved ones, and (3) approach logistic challenges families face, all through a dedicated digital environment.

Liveful introduces groundbreaking features such as 3D virtual spaces for capturing memories and Digital Vaults for managing legal and digital aspects. The ‘Memories’ feature provides users with immersive 3D virtual spaces for creating personalised memorials that are adaptable to diverse cultural norms. ‘Legacy,’ the digital vaults service, addresses practical aspects, ensuring seamless legal and digital affairs management during challenging times.

Its Network of Care feature aims to include a diverse range of support partners and ambassadors. From lawyers to insurance companies, the network is designed to support the varied grief experiences in society. The long-term vision is to address digital fragmentation in grief-related services and ensure support is always within reach.

Massive opportunities and future expansion

liveful’s immediate focus is on understanding and serving the unique needs of the Singaporean community. It aims to build a local foundation of trust before considering expansion. The platform sees potential in other markets with highly urbanised environments but prioritises a strategic and culturally sensitive approach.

“We believe in the power of responding to the specific demands of those we’re building for – ensuring that every aspect of liveful is deeply rooted in the lived experiences of the people here. This initial focus is crucial; it’s about being fully present and responsive to the needs of our community, and it reflects our commitment to respect and empathy in every aspect of our journey,” he shared.

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“As we look to the future, we see liveful’s potential to touch lives in other markets, especially those with highly urbanised environments like Singapore. But ultimately, it’s about building a local foundation of trust and understanding before seriously considering expansion. This approach is not just strategic; it reflects our respect for the diverse cultural and emotional intricacies of grief and remembrance,” he elaborated.

The major challenge faced by liveful lies in balancing cultural and emotional sensitivities. The platform’s phased rollout prioritised the ‘Loss’ feature at launch, providing users with immediate guidance through the practical aspects of loss. This strategic decision is expected to benefit users during the critical early stages of grief.

“It’s about striking the right balance – being there for people in their moments of need while respecting the personal nature of grief. Our commitment to this delicate balance is what guides our marketing and communication strategies at every level,” Low claimed.

Sensitivity in design and navigating cultural nuances

Liveful’s development involved deep research, hundreds of interviews, sentiment surveys, and partnerships with key stakeholders to launch Network of Care. Ambassadors like Jelyn Wong, who shared personal experiences of loss, helped ensure the platform authentically represents Singapore’s diverse emotions and perspectives.

“Individuals like Wong shared their very personal experiences of loss to ensure our platform authentically represents the wide range of emotions and perspectives prevalent in Singapore. This people-first approach makes liveful a resonant space for Singaporeans from all walks of life,” Low said.

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As liveful steps into the public domain, it marks not just a launch but a significant leap toward transforming the landscape of grief in the digital age, one that reflects the collective experience of a society navigating loss in a space-conscious environment.

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