Reminiscent of giggling at a funeral, posting “RIP Grandma, you’ll be missed,” is status of remembrance that can appear odd. We’ve all seen these awkward messages on our Facebook timelines, and it leaves us contemplating whether a “like” is a proper condolence. If only there was a “hug” button for instances like these.
After that status is posted, what happens to the dear grandmother’s personal Facebook? Well, Facebook has thought this one through! You can now choose a “legacy contact” that will be granted the ability to manage your profile after you die.
According to Slate, this contact legacy will be able to “change the dead person’s profile picture and cover photo, write a special post that will be pinned to the top of his or her timeline (e.g., a memorial service announcement), accept friend requests from real-life friends and family who weren’t connected to the deceased on Facebook.”
It seems as if Facebook is attempting to create an outlet for an electronic memorial service, which, with how much we are all on social media nowadays, makes sense. However, when I come to pass, I don’t know how I would feel if my profile became a memorial page with the ability to be accessed by all 400 of my Facebook friends.
To put it lightly, it just doesn’t seem like an intimate approach to the situation.
To be honest, it’s just plain creepy.
Being accepted as a friend to someone that’s beyond the grave? Their profile picture changing? That’s a couple of notifications I could go without seeing. At least they are going to make it blatant that you’re not running your page, “Remembering” will be added above the deceased names, in order to distinguish the living from the dead.
Most people don’t talk to or even fully know all of their friends on Facebook. Now each one is going to feel a personal obligation to post something onto the new “Remembering” page, as if the “RIP Grandma” statuses weren't awkward and obligatory enough.
Most of all, this goes to show how heavily invested we are into technology. You can meet the love of your life on your dating profile, hold a group message amongst your friends, and now, even attend a funeral on Facebook. Who needs outside contact? Who needs people? Our cellphones and laptops have seemed to take over each aspect of our intimate life, let’s let them own it.
All joking aside, Facebook does seem to be looking for a way to combat what they think is an issue, but it just comes off as concerning and invasive. Some will see this as an outlet for grief, but it seems to me a better way of coping with that is to put on a nice outfit and attend a funeral, not spend less than a minute typing up a “we will miss you” wall post.
But, if this new approach appeals to you, you can go right ahead and choose your legacy contact now, underneath the security option of your profile! Choose wisely, my friends. Need I remind you they can change your profile picture?
Reach the columnist at dpharias@asu.edu or follow @Dpharias on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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