"Bring to life" does not mean it will like you or be friendly or even sane... a statue might rampage and have a severe hatred for drunks and pigeons, a sex doll would prolly be traumatized, etc. I would go with someone I knew who died, but that would most likely make a zombie and not Raise them (in d&d standards). So, for fear of personal safety/sanity, I would have to make a nerf golem, if I HAD to bring something to life... otherwise nothing.
Anyone remember that episode of Supernatural when the giant teddy bear was brought to life? Maddening.