“When there are no right words, design becomes the language of care.”

Design becomes real when it mirrors your life.
Empathy isn’t a UX buzzword. It’s the foundation.
Emotional labor is part of the job.
You design better when you stop pretending to be neutral.
There is no universal user. Grief shows up differently for everyone.
Language heals or harms. One sentence can either soothe or sting.
Good UX is invisible. Great UX is emotionally intelligent.
Design for the person who isn’t in the room. The partner, the sibling, the friend left behind.
Grief gives perspective. It reminds you why this work matters.

What Design Leaders Should Take From This

Projects like this stretch your skills and your heart. If you’re a design leader, here’s what I’d offer:

Emotional design needs emotional intelligence.

That pace is part of the empathy.

If your interface helps someone feel steadier, that’s success.

Design that matters is a legacy in itself.

☐ Use calm, neutral and culturally appropriate visuals (black, white, gray, soft tones)

☐ One question or task per screen

☐ Persistent progress and flexible saving

☐ Clear account deactivation/memorialization options

☐ Provide culturally flexible templates and flows

☐ Avoid emotional triggers (e.g. don’t surface photos, quotes, or “memories” tied to a deceased person unless the user explicitly opts in)

☐ Include print/share/export options for offline use

☐ Prioritize accessibility and mobile usability

☐ Respect data boundaries — clarify what’s shared and with whom

☐ Use warm, direct, respectful language

☐ Validate emotions (“It’s okay to take your time”)

☐ Avoid jargon, euphemisms, or legalese in UI

☐ Offer supportive defaults for indecisive users

☐ Write for different cultural norms and tones

☐ Include examples or templates where helpful

☐ Keep instructions concise and pressure-free

☐ Always review for tone — especially in system messages