Memories Preserved Digitally

06/13/2013 21:41

Life and death is a tricky matter. One never knows what unfortunate event may occur in the future or in the present. Wealth, property, fame are nothing but transient, the only thing which you will leave behind in the world are the memories you shared with your close ones. In today’s high-tech age, cyberspace has evolved to a much bigger role. One such rising trend is an online memorial site.

 

What is it?

 

Primarily, an online memorial site can be as simple as an HTML webpage, built in the memory of a loved one. Such a webpage often includes a picture and few lines written in remembrance. But slowly, as its popularity is increasing, so is the complexity involved. Simple HTML pages are now transforming into complete websites, with different sections such as spaces for leaving stories, uploading pictures, videos, and audio by the visitors. Different online memorial sites may even include a timeline charting the person’s life, forums where people can share their grief, a family tree, and so on.

 

How an Online Memorial Functions

 

It is quite simple to understand. Not everyone has the means to go to the crematorium or the churchyard. For example, you may have relatives living in a different part of the world or country or even state for that matter. For scenarios such as this, memorial web sites are more than convenient. You can dedicate a webpage for your loved one, and others are free to visit it, write down their true feelings, and even donate some amount of money if the website permits it and if they care to. The donations are collected and while a small part of them is used to manage and run the website, most of the service providers donate the remaining amount to charity. For a geographically scattered family, an online memorial web site is a sterling and salient option.

 

Freedom of Expression

 

Why is it that an online memorial web page is so effective, when there can be other, more effective tributes such as an obituary? First off, after the obituary is printed in the newspaper, it is gone forever unless the family saves it which they probably do. Moreover, a memorial online has a personal touch to it, because usually what people write here comes straight from the heart – how that person was, their strengths, weaknesses, and any other quality hidden from the general public. After all, who knows you better than your friends and family?

 

A webpage will live on forever for generations to come. If you have dedicated a memorial web page to a family member, then no matter how old you become, you can simply open the page with the click of a button, scroll of the mouse, read what people thought about that person, and relive those memories. Most likely you even find out aspects of that person’s life you never knew about. This will make this effort all the more worthwhile and be an ideal way to carry on this person’s spirit digitally.