Digital culture of mourning: Remembering in times of online cemeteries!

Digital culture of mourning: Remembering in times of online cemeteries!

In 2025 it will be clear that the way we deal with death and grief has undergone a profound change. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that digital space plays a central role in the mourning process. Grief counselor Britta Bosch emphasizes how important it is to take time to deal with grief. She recommends organizing so-called “mourning dates” in order to actively and consciously deal with the memories of the deceased. A memory box containing personal items and photos of the deceased can be a valuable tool. Such small rituals make it possible to keep memories alive and process grief. Bosch also emphasizes that decluttering personal items should be done carefully to consider the emotional warmth in the process.

More and more people are turning to digital platforms to process their grief. Sociologist Matthias Meitzler from the University of Tübingen is researching the development of online cemeteries. These virtual memorial sites offer the opportunity to create memorial pages for the deceased that can be visited by relatives. This is particularly valuable for people who live geographically far apart. The use of these digital forms of commemoration has increased significantly since the 1990s and offers mourners both independence of time and location.

The digital transformation of grief

Digital mourning affects all age groups and has become a phenomenon that goes far beyond traditional forms of mourning. A study by scientists from Darmstadt and Tübingen on the topic of “Edilife” examines how virtual memorial rooms and the possibility of communicating with the deceased via AI influence the mourning process. Applications that make it possible to chat with the deceased or make video calls can be found primarily in the USA as subscription services. But these modern forms of commemoration are not without controversy. Martin Hennig, a scientist, warns about the potential risks of these interactions as they could make closure in the grieving process more difficult.

Nevertheless, Dirk Pörschmann, director of the Museum for Sepulchral Culture, sees the use of modern technology for commemoration as normal. He compares these new practices to historical traditions such as post-mortem photography and points out that digital forms of commemoration are not intended to replace real-life funeral ceremonies, but rather to complement them.

Find inner peace

Meditation also plays a central role in November, which is traditionally viewed by many people as a month of remembrance. Scientists like Dr. Ulrich Ott from the Giessen University Hospital deals intensively with the positive effects of meditation on consciousness and the psyche. This inner reflection can help you find peace in difficult times and come to terms with loss. It is the perfect combination of mindfulness and grief management that is appealing to more and more people.

The way we deal with grief has changed today, and it will be exciting to see how this development will continue in the coming years. The digital world offers new ways of remembering and remembering, which is particularly important at a time when many people are spatially separated from one another. The challenges and opportunities that this transformation brings with it are diverse and will continue to be the focus of social discussion.