FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 22, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Bereave, a technology company that supports employers, employees, and their families through death and everything that comes with it, announced the launch of AfterNotes, a new tool that allows individuals and their families to make key personal decisions and share important information, so loved ones aren’t making urgent and expensive choices while grieving. 

Through AfterNotes, Bereave users can document how they want to be remembered along with essential personal information that loved ones often need but don’t know how to access. The tool centers on non-legal details that are rarely organized ahead of time, including funeral or celebration-of-life preferences, digital access information, and key financial or professional contacts. By documenting and sharing this information ahead of time, AfterNotes helps loved ones make important and expensive decisions with greater clarity.

The launch comes amid growing recognition that many families are unprepared for the practical and emotional challenges that follow a death. While most people want to ease the burden for surviving loved ones, preparation is often delayed or avoided. Research shows that 68% of adults remain unprepared for end-of-life planning, leaving families to navigate major decisions without clear guidance, including funeral costs that the NFDA says typically range from $6,000 to $8,000, without clear guidance. As a result, 35% of people report experiencing or witnessing family tension tied to a lack of planning.

Early BETA users of AfterNotes have indicated that the process of planning ahead now feels less intimidating and can lead to lasting peace of mind. One user noted that "the questions were clear and written in a very human way," describing what made it easier to get started. Another shared a sense of comfort, saying, "I love the idea of having everything written down in one place instead of hoping people can figure it out."

“Most families don’t realize how many decisions they’ll be asked to make until they’re already in the middle of it,” said Elijah Linder, co-founder of Bereave. Having lost both of his parents, Linder understands the importance of preparing for end of life. “AfterNotes is really about taking some of that pressure off the people you care about, so they’re not left trying to figure things out, allowing more time together instead.”

AfterNotes joins the broader Bereave platform, which helps employers support employees and their families through grief and loss. The platform addresses both logistical and emotional needs at home and in the workplace, creating a coordinated response when employees experience loss. With AfterNotes, Bereave extends that support to before a loss occurs—giving individuals a way to prepare while providing peace of mind to those they care about.

AfterNotes is available today to all employees of Bereave’s business customers. You can learn more at bereave.io.  

‍About Bereave 

Bereave is an Indianapolis-based technology company focused on improving how organizations respond to grief in the workplace. Informed by the co-founders’ early experiences with loss, Bereave’s platform helps employers move beyond policy and respond with clarity, consistency, and care. By supporting employees and families while guiding managers and HR through difficult moments, Bereave helps organizations navigate grief empathetically and while keeping work moving.

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Media Contact 

keagan@bereave.io

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