Facebook - The modern day medium?

[mazie]

I listened to a programme on Radio 4 yesterday called Digital Human. Basically about families that keep their loved ones Facebook going after they have died. Really interesting programme and I could see all the Pros and Cons.

What are your thoughts on this?

(I'm not sure if it would help my family )

Here's a link if anyone is interested

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nt3y2

[rockyracoon]

I suppose it's similar to keeping answerphone messages, and telephone numbers in contacts lists, it keeps them alive for a bit longer. I don't know that I could do it but I think that if it gets people through they should go ahead.

[ummmm]

Yes, I know a few. It can be very touching at times.

[mazie]

I can total see why people do it, but how long would you want that to continue. I know what you mean about the answerphone message rocky... It's so tempting to phone just to hear that voice again. :o(

[lankeela]

It gives me the creeps to phone someone and hear their other half or family member on the answerphone.

[Booldawg]

On a similar vein I saw a news story about a company producing gravestones with a digital screen in the middle of them. You can transfer photos onto them. Solar powered.

[magsmay]

I've had two FB friends pass away this year (both friends in real life). The family took down the first friends page straight after the funeral -I was sad because I would have liked a few more days to look at photos she had up on there -it was an extremely un-expected death -she went to bed and never woke up -no health issues so I think I needed time to get my head around the fact she was no longer with us. The second friend had battled Cancer for a few years and was finally told she only had a few weeks left. The family have left her FB up and its distressing because FB being who they are , send messages such as (deceased) has just reached level 3 on (game) or (deceased) is attending this function and wants to know if you are. Its pretty awful and I've now un friended her page. maybe FB could have a Memorial page you can change to when the person is deceased?

[ummmm]

A friend of mine died suddenly about 5 years ago. Her kids and siblings still post on her wall. Just little things, something might have happened that day which she would have enjoyed, something triggered a strong memory. It's very touching.

[mazie]

That's the thing mags I can see the pros and cons as I said earlier. It must be so comforting in the early days just to see the photos and read some of their words. It's all the other facebook cr@p that you don't need. If you read the link I think one of the ladies on the radio programme has done just that and started a special board. I know a lady that still sends text messages to her Mum who passed away some time ago. I found it very thought provoking and wondered what other members thought as well

[rockyracoon]

I used to think it was awful, people professing their love and sorrow when someone had passed, I don't do PDA, but a friend died and dozens and dozens of people posted on his sisters wall, she printed it all off and gave it to her mum just after the funeral, it gave the poor woman an enormous amount of comfort that so many people from his past had sent their condolences.

[mazie]

Having been to a few funerals it strikes me that lots of different thing ease the pain. It is hard to let go

[dolyem]

for me it is not appreciate