Revision 3

Overview

Funerals are a social event type in inZOI that occurs when a Zoi dies. Introduced in the October 2025 Update (v0.4.0), funerals are part of the broader Death and Ghost systems that were added in the same patch. They serve as both a narrative closure event and a gameplay mechanic that affects the emotional states of surviving Zois. Funerals are not optional; whenever a Zoi passes away, the event is automatically scheduled after a brief ghost period.

The Ghost Period

When a Zoi dies, they do not disappear from the world immediately. Instead, the deceased Zoi becomes a ghost for 3 in-game days before the funeral takes place. During this ghost period, the spirit of the deceased remains in the area where they lived and can interact with living Zois in limited ways.

Ghost interactions include talking to family members and close friends, visiting their former home, and wandering through familiar locations. Living Zois who encounter the ghost may react with surprise, sadness, or comfort depending on their personality traits and their relationship with the deceased. The ghost period gives players a brief window to say goodbye and experience one final set of interactions before the funeral marks the end of the Zoi's presence in the world.

During these three days, the ghost is fully visible and can be directed by the player if they are part of the active household. Ghost Zois have limited needs (they do not need to eat, sleep, or use the bathroom) but they can still socialize and move freely around the city.

The Funeral Event

After the 3-day ghost period ends, the funeral event is triggered automatically. The game notifies the player and transitions to the funeral venue. Family members and close friends of the deceased are invited automatically based on their relationship levels with the departed Zoi. The player does not need to manually organize the guest list.

During the funeral, attending Zois gather at the venue and engage in mourning behaviors. They may cry, comfort each other, share memories, or stand in quiet reflection. The event has a set duration and plays out as a structured social gathering, similar to other event types like weddings or parties, but with a somber tone.

Players can observe the funeral as it unfolds but have limited direct control over the interactions. The attending Zois act autonomously based on their personalities and relationship to the deceased. Close family members (spouses, children, parents) show more intense grief than acquaintances or distant friends.

Emotional Effects

Funerals have a significant impact on the emotions of every Zoi who attends. The primary emotional effects include:

The grief moodlet can last anywhere from 2 to 7 in-game days depending on the Zoi's closeness to the deceased. Spouses and children tend to carry grief the longest, while acquaintances recover more quickly. Certain personality traits can amplify or reduce the duration, with more emotional Zois grieving for longer periods.

After the Funeral

Once the funeral concludes, the ghost of the deceased faces one of two outcomes. Depending on factors like unfinished goals, relationship satisfaction, and the nature of their death, the ghost either ascends (permanently departing the world) or continues haunting as a lingering presence. Ghosts that ascend are gone for good. Ghosts that remain become part of the Ghost gameplay system and can continue to appear in the world, interacting with living Zois on occasion.

After the funeral, the deceased Zoi's belongings remain in the household inventory unless the player removes or sells them. Their bedroom and personal items stay in place, serving as a memorial of sorts until the player decides to redecorate. The household's Meow finances are also affected, as the deceased's career income ceases immediately upon death.

Connections to Other Systems

• Death: Funerals are triggered by the Death system. The cause of death (old age, accident, etc.) can influence the tone of the funeral.

• Ghosts: The 3-day ghost period precedes every funeral. Ghost behavior and post-funeral haunting are part of the Ghost system.

• Relationships: The guest list and emotional intensity at funerals are driven by relationship levels between the deceased and surviving Zois.

• Emotions: Funeral attendance creates strong emotional effects that persist for days after the event.

• Aging: Natural death from old age is the most common trigger for funerals in normal gameplay.

Tips

• Use the 3-day ghost period to have final conversations between the deceased and their loved ones. These interactions can provide narrative closure.

• Zois with the grief moodlet may perform poorly at work and in social situations. Give them time to recover before pushing them into demanding activities.

• If a ghost continues haunting after the funeral, it will appear periodically in and around the deceased's former home.

• The funeral event cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded. Plan for it in your gameplay session.