Loss, especially in the form of death, is arguably one of the most painful human experiences that a person can go through.
And in today’s technologically advanced society, coping with it has only become more complicated.
From simplistic mobile apps to eerily lifelike artificial intelligence, the conversation of what’s ethical and what’s not remains uncertain.
Of course, ethics is more of a personal perspective than anything else, but it’s undoubtedly an important factor as a whole within the grief community.
So, where do you believe you stand?
Let’s explore the rise of grief technology to find out.
What is grief technology?
The idea of grief technology can be anything from an easy-to-use meditation app to an advanced virtual reality program that allows a person to speak to, or otherwise physically interact with, the deceased.
Needless to say, it has come a long way since the 19th-century death photographs or even the late 20th-century camcorders.
As EuroNews writer Amber Bryce suggests, “Preserving memories and passing along heirlooms is an innate human desire, so it’s no surprise that tech companies are looking for new ways to advance and elevate this process.”
Thus, for some people, the possibilities of grief technology are incredibly exciting and comforting.
But for others, it crosses a line that shouldn’t be crossed.
What are some examples of grief technology?
Our society deals with life after death in the age of digital influence in a multitude of ways, which only continues to expand and improve.
Here are just a few examples of recent technological advancements within the grief community.
Mobile Apps. We all use them. We all love them. It’s no secret that mobile apps, in many ways, enrich our lives. But have you ever considered what an app focused on grief might be like? Some of the most popular are the encouraging gaming world of Apart of Me or the useful meditations of Healing After Death. However, while these mobile apps are relatively harmless and even incredibly helpful within the grieving process, just as with our phones in general, there can become a point that we are too reliant on them as a distraction.
Social Media. All of us either use social media or at the very least are acutely aware of it. I’m no different! In fact, I have several social media profiles specifically for Grief Personalized that are in remembrance of my dad. On these profiles, I share personal stories, pictures, poetry, and even home videos. For me, this is a way to keep him alive, to move forward in my grieving journey, and to help other grievers move forward in their journey as well. However, once a person has died, a concern for many is who really has the right to all of their data and information, as well as whether or not it’s acceptable to use it once the deceased person can no longer give their consent.
Deepfakes. Deepfakes are a form of technology that animates photos of the deceased in order to make them appear as if they were alive once again. This is available through companies like MyHeritage. However, as ArabianBusiness writer Tala Issa explains, “[While] these tools have [given] people [the chance to have] a virtual reunion of sorts that may offer them some solace, psychologists believe that relying too heavily [on this kind of technology] might impede the natural grieving process and hinder emotional healing, [particularly when it comes to the denial of death].”
Artificial Intelligence. AI—most of us have a complicated relationship with it. But in the past few years, especially post-pandemic, several AI companies have developed algorithms that can analyze a massive database of images and videos to mimic the physical attributes (i.e. face, voice) of a deceased person to create a virtual replica. This is available through companies like You, Only Virtual, a chatbot that allows you to talk to a digital recreation of a loved one, or HereAfter AI, an app that interactively preserves meaningful memories. However, as Dr. Kirsten Smith warns, “There is evidence from multiple studies that proximity seeking (behaviors aimed at restoring a closeness with the person who has died) is actually linked with poorer mental health outcomes, [and does not truly help in the long run].”
How can I use grief technology in a way that appropriately honors my loved one?
This, as I’m sure comes as no surprise, is honestly entirely up to you and your ability to balance the technological world with the real world.
Personally, I don’t believe that keepsakes, whether they be physical or digital, are inherently damaging or immoral. In fact, they can be one of the most significant and influential aspects of our healing process.
Just be mindful of what feels right or wrong to you from an ethical standpoint. If any of the technologies mentioned in this post are intriguing to you and you believe that they could potentially help, try them out! Or if you’d rather stick to good old-fashioned versions of dealing with grief, that’s perfectly okay, too.
As with everything in life, just remember that moderation is key.
What’s your opinion on grief technology? Share in the comments below!
Resources:
“Animate Your Family Photos.” MyHeritage, www.myheritage.com/deep-nostalgia.
Bryce, Amber. “The Rise of ‘Grief Tech’: AI Is Being Used to Bring the People You Love Back From the Dead.” EuroNews, 12 Mar. 2023, www.euronews.com/next/2023/03/12/the-rise-of-grief-tech-ai-is-being-used-to-bring-the-people-you-love-back-from-the-dead.
Harlow, Olivia. “History of the Camcorder.” Legacybox, legacybox.com/blogs/analog/history-of-the-camcorder.
Harrison, Justin. “Build a Versona—Never Have to Say Goodbye.” YOV, 9 Aug. 2023, www.myyov.com/index.html.
Healing After Death, healingafterdeath.com/.
“Helping Children, Young People, and Parents Cope With Loss and Trauma.” Apart of Me, www.apartofme.app/.
Issa, Tala. “Grief Tech: Therapists Say AI, Deepfake Replicas of Lost Loved Ones Can Help Cope With Loss.” ArabianBusiness, 18 May 2023, www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/technology/grief-tech-therapists-say-ai-deepfake-replicas-of-dead-help-with-loss-grieving.
“Post-Mortem Photography: An Overview.” UM Clements Library, 30 Apr. 2021, clements.umich.edu/exhibit/death-in-early-america/post-mortem-overview/#:~:text=Post%2Dmortem%20photographs%20are%20images,taken%20of%20them%20while%20living.
Vlahos, James. “Hereafter AI.” HereAfter AI, www.hereafter.ai/.