Facebook for the deceased

[creekster]

Someone in our stake passed away very unexpectedly last week. It is very sad as he was not very old. Someone in his family has been posting on his FB page as him, including updates, such as "[decedent's name] is attending [decedent's] memorial service today" and so forth. I find this a little creepy. Is this common practice now days?

[Flystripper]

Someone in our stake passed away very unexpectedly last week. It is very sad as he was not very old. Someone in his family has been posting on his FB page as him, including updates, such as "[decedent's name] is attending [decedent's] memorial service today" and so forth. I find this a little creepy. Is this common practice now days?

This seems odd to me as well, but I don't have much experience with this.

[Donuthole]

Sort of like the missionary who has a family member updating his facebook page in the first person. At least the dead person doesn't have to tract.

[NorthwestUteFan]

It is probably not a big deal for now, and may very well be cathartic, but if it continues it will be unbelievably disturbing.

My SIL passed away 2.5 yrs ago somewhat unexpectedly and at a young age (39). She had a FB page but nobody posts for her. The page has many well-wisher comments on it. Her profile still pops up as one of my wife's 'friends' from time to time, and it is simultaneously refreshing and creepy.

Then again, I happen to think FB is mostly useful for allowing people to hook up with old flames... (I refuse to make my own FB page).

[The_Tick]

We had a family friend pass away on the 19th of December. She was the manager of the softball team I coached 2 years ago. A sweet dear friend. Only 40.

She passed after a 2 year battle with Pancreatic cancer.

Her family used her FB to inform folks of her passing, and then later to put the dates of the funeral/open house.

Since then, they haven't posted anything. They have put pictures up of the funeral service and open house for those out of state that couldn't attend.

But the have left it up for folks to leave comments, and it has been very touching.

[I.J. Reilly]

There is a kid I went to high school with that I am FB friends with. He committed suicide a little more than I year ago, I believe. His mom uses his FB page to send messages to him as status updates, and occasionally asks about the whereabouts of people he knew. In fact, she sent him a message today.

I'm glad she doesn't talk in first person. As far as the updates, it mostly just breaks my heart to see the pain she is still experiencing and the effect people have in the lives of others when they take their own life.

[Jarid in Cedar]

My grandma kept my grandfather's cell phone answering message on her phone. Every time you called her and she didn't answer, he was there to take your message. It was alway good/sad to hear his voice. When she died, we found that she had been calling her own phone and leaving him some messages. They were very touching. she told him about the goings on in the family and how much he was missed..

[Babs]

I'm glad she doesn't talk in first person. As far as the updates, it mostly just breaks my heart to see the pain she is still experiencing and the effect people have in the lives of others when they take their own life.

My cousin ODed two years ago this month, and his mom still wears his picture on her shirt everyday. It is both heartbreaking and unsettling.

[old_gregg]

My grandma kept my grandfather's cell phone answering message on her phone. Every time you called her and she didn't answer, he was there to take your message. It was alway good/sad to hear his voice. When she died, we found that she had been calling her own phone and leaving him some messages. They were very touching. she told him about the goings on in the family and how much he was missed..

that is really sweet, but ridiculously sad

[Surfah]

Gidget has a childhood friend who died when he was like 12. His mother started up a MySpace and Facebook page for him and posts as if it is him. The kid has been gone now for 15 years. It is beyond creepy.

[pellegrino]

It is probably not a big deal for now, and may very well be cathartic, but if it continues it will be unbelievably disturbing.

My SIL passed away 2.5 yrs ago somewhat unexpectedly and at a young age (39). She had a FB page but nobody posts for her. The page has many well-wisher comments on it. Her profile still pops up as one of my wife's 'friends' from time to time, and it is simultaneously refreshing and creepy.

Then again, I happen to think FB is mostly useful for allowing people to hook up with old flames... (I refuse to make my own FB page).

that's funny, it hasn't worked that way for me, and I've befriended most of my old flames.

[pellegrino]

My grandma kept my grandfather's cell phone answering message on her phone. Every time you called her and she didn't answer, he was there to take your message. It was alway good/sad to hear his voice. When she died, we found that she had been calling her own phone and leaving him some messages. They were very touching. she told him about the goings on in the family and how much he was missed..

My MIL left her deceased husband's voice on her answering machine for a long time, even after she re-married. It was deleted accidentally not too long ago.

[Babs]

that's funny, it hasn't worked that way for me, and I've friended most of my old flames.

I think that only proves his point. I don't think he meant hook up in the fuller sense of the phrase.

[pellegrino]

I think that only proves his point. I don't think he meant hook up in the fuller sense of the phrase.

oh, my bad.

[creekster]

I think that only proves his point. I don't think he meant hook up in the fuller sense of the phrase.

First Fig and now this. Pellegrino! I thought I knew you!