The uses and abuses of virtual grief

Earlier this week we discussed, "What happens to your Facebook after you die?"


Well after reading this article I decided to try it it out. I located the Terms and Conditions page, which then brought me to the Copyright page, which then directed me to the Help Center Page. I then searched "death" in the "what can we help you with?" box, here is what I found..

I found this to be very interesting, especially the first suggested Q&A, "I'd like to report a deceased user's account that is appearing in my Suggestions." Which is exactly what had happened to the woman, in one of our articles we read this week, and has probably happened to many of us before. 


I have found that the list of people that pop-up as "suggested friends" or "reconnect with" sometimes scares me. When seeing these profiles of friends that have passed is startling to think that although they have passed they still exist in the virtual world. While this may be the case for many of you, I instead begin to think think of the good memories I've shared with that person. Which brings me to the other side bar pop-up, "photo memories," this is sometimes refreshing to see old photos with friends and/or family.  On the other hand, it doesn't bring back those good memories, which then causes me to click the "X" button hoping it never pops up again.  

So I ask you now, what would you want done with your Facebook after you pass? As mentioned in the in the article I posted earlier, the writer jokingly suggests "you might want to put this in your will or something, if you have one."  

It's weird to think that this could be something we will have to do in the near future...