AN Aberdeen entrepreneur is preparing to launch an online obituary platform.
Sean Clogher, an artificial intelligence PhD student, has created RIP Notice.
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Mr Clogher, who has a research relationship with Robert Gordon University is backed by £25,000 of start-up funding from the Scottish Government and further support from Business Gateway.
He hopes his new business, due to launch next week, will take the stress away from grieving families, especially during the difficult circumstances of Covid-19, and look to save funeral homes almost £10,000 a year.
The company will work as a close partner to undertakers and funeral directors to offer a streamlined and cost-efficient approach to obituaries.
Families and friends can use the digital platform to share condolences and memories of the deceased, along with the option to send personalised sympathy cards and flowers.
Mr Clogher said: “A few years ago, a friend of mine lost a close family member and I wanted to be able to reach out and send my sympathies, as well as attend the funeral. However, I didn’t want to bother him during what was a difficult period.
“Thankfully, in Ireland, there is an online death notice website that you can use to find out such details. I started to consider what Scotland was missing out on and realised there was a gap in the market for such a tool.”
The Irish businessman has since recruited a team of three north-east web developers as well as secured private investment from a silent partner.
As mortality rates for coronavirus continue to rise, the team behind RIP Notice decided to launch the death notice service, in a bid to support both the funeral industry and mourners.
In order to help the burgeoning market, RIP Notice will be offering clients an initial three-month free trial.
