After a loved one passes on, it is natural to gather physical objects of theirs and associate those corporeal things with them. A pair of cuff links. A favorite book. A photograph or video showing the deceased. These objects all help us remember the life and character of a dear friend.
They also help the living celebrate and mourn the dead. In some ways these objects become symbolic of the memory of our lost friends and family members.
Much like physical things, digital assets are an effective way to keep memories of those who have passed alive. Email Accounts, Social Media Activity, Photos and Videos all live online and have an immediacy to them. These things are living digital manifestations of a life lived in the information age.
When we connect with a digital life of a lost friend we keep their essence close to us. To read the emails of a dead friend or relative is like speaking to that person again. To see their photos online is to see their journeys and their memories- some for the first time. There is a closeness and an intimacy with the deceased when we experience their online lives. Dealing with social media accounts after online death can be painful. But for many people, knowing what went on in the online lives of departed friends brings a sense of joy and connectedness. Being able to reach out to the online communities that the dead participated in can not only help memorialize their memory, but increase comfort and support for the living. Having access to online activities can result in digital memorials and has real world benefits as well.
Identifying physical objects with those who have passed on has been part of the grieving process for millenia. As more of our lives play out online, connecting with digital collateral will help keep the memories of loved ones alive and well.
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