Memorializing Loved Ones on the World Wide Web

• DOI: 10.2190/dr46-ru57-uy6p-newm
• Publication Date: 2005-05-04T02:14:40Z
• Authors: Brian de Vries; Judy Rutherford
• Keywords: Eulogy; Obituary; Tribute; Web site

Creating and visiting Web memorials represent new opportunities for post-death ritual. A content analysis was conducted on a sample of 244 the found largest Cemetery: Virtual Memorial Gardens (catless.ncl.ac.uk/Obituary/memorial.html). Analyses revealed that were written, in descending order prevalence, by children (33%), friends (15%), grandchildren (11%), parents (10%), siblings (8%), spouses (4%), various other family members. This pattern favoring younger authors may reflect newness this venue facility with computer technology. The such often contained reference to missing deceased, rarely spoke cause death, or made mention God religion. Memorials more likely be written deceased (e.g., form letter) rather than about eulogy/obituary tribute). Parents, groups, relatives frequently religious references their did authors. In addition as novel, untapped data source, these offer intriguing theoretical refinement (i.e., ongoing connection between bereaved deceased).