Death is a universal and inevitable part of life, yet our understanding and approach to it have evolved dramatically in the digital age. Business technology, particularly in fields like digital communication, social media, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, has fundamentally shifted how we think about, prepare for, and even experience death. Here’s how business technology is reshaping our perceptions and practices surrounding death.

1. The Rise of Digital Memorials and Online Obituaries

One of the most significant ways that business technology has impacted our thinking about death is through digital memorials and online obituaries. In the past, death was a deeply personal and offline event—families would gather for funerals and post obituaries in local newspapers. Today, the digital age has created new ways to memorialize loved ones and communicate their passing.

• Social Media Tributes: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have become key spaces for mourning, remembering, and celebrating lives. People can leave digital tributes, share memories, and stay connected with loved ones, regardless of physical distance. Facebook even has a legacy feature, allowing users to designate a “legacy contact” to manage their account after their death.
• Online Memorials & Crowdfunding: Websites like Legacy.com and GoFundMe offer digital memorials where friends and family can contribute memories, photos, and even financial support for funeral costs or ongoing charitable donations in memory of the deceased. Crowdfunding platforms have also transformed how we handle financial responsibilities in the wake of death, making it easier to collect funds for funeral expenses, medical bills, or memorial services.
• Virtual Funerals: With the rise of video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet, virtual funerals have become more common. This allows family and friends from across the globe to participate in memorial services in real-time. It also opens doors for more inclusive and flexible ways to honor those who have passed, especially for those unable to attend in person due to financial, geographical, or health reasons.

2. Digital Afterlife and AI-Powered Virtual Memorials

As our online lives become more integrated with our identities, technology is prompting new philosophical questions about digital afterlife—what happens to our digital selves after death?

• AI and Virtual Avatars: Some tech companies are exploring how artificial intelligence can help preserve aspects of our personality after death. Replika, an AI chatbot, allows users to create digital avatars of themselves that can “carry on” conversations. Though still in its early stages, there’s potential for AI-driven chatbots to keep a person’s voice or personality alive in digital form long after they’ve passed.
• Digital Estate Planning: Business technology now offers ways for individuals to plan for the digital legacies they’ll leave behind. Tools such as Everplans help users create a digital will that covers everything from social media accounts to financial information. In essence, the management of one’s “digital assets” after death has become as important as physical ones.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Memorials: Technologies like VR and AR are also emerging as innovative ways to memorialize the deceased. For example, VR could allow people to visit virtual cemeteries or interact with 3D representations of loved ones. One intriguing development is the creation of VR cemeteries that allow families to leave digital messages or create immersive experiences for the deceased.

3. Data Analytics and Posthumous Impact Measurement

In the past, the impact of an individual’s life on the world was often measured by tangible contributions—books, inventions, charitable works, etc. But with the digital age, data analytics has created new ways to measure and interpret a person’s legacy.

• Social Media Analytics: With the proliferation of social media, the online footprint of individuals can be analyzed posthumously. Algorithms track the number of likes, shares, comments, and hashtags associated with a person’s profile or name after their death. The idea of “legacy” has evolved from traditional memorials to measurable digital legacies, with data helping us understand how long someone’s influence lasts in the online world.
• Tracking Posthumous Popularity: Algorithms also track how quickly and how widely information about an individual spreads after their death. This gives business leaders, celebrities, and influencers an opportunity to reflect on the reach and impact of their digital presence. The rise of social media “memes” about deceased celebrities or historical figures has added a new layer to our perceptions of fame and legacy.

4. The Emergence of Death Tech Startups

In recent years, the emergence of Death Tech—a term for technology startups focused on helping people plan for or cope with death—has brought new ideas and business models around the topic of death. These businesses are providing services that allow individuals to prepare for the end of their lives in more efficient and innovative ways.

• Life Insurance and Estate Tech: Platforms like Fabric and Ladder Life allow users to buy life insurance online, offering a more accessible, transparent, and efficient way of preparing for death. Similarly, digital estate planning tools like Trust & Will make it easier to create legally binding wills and trusts, helping to ensure that one’s digital assets and legacy are properly managed.
• Funeral and End-of-Life Services: Startups like Everly and Parting Stone are modernizing the funeral and cremation process by offering more sustainable and customized options. For instance, Everly allows you to plan a simple, digital-based funeral experience, while Parting Stone creates solidified remains (rather than ashes) that can be kept as a more personal keepsake.
• End-of-Life Doula Services: Some startups are also offering services that help individuals navigate the emotional and practical aspects of dying, akin to birth doulas. These businesses offer online consultations and support services to guide people through the end-of-life process, helping them create a personalized experience for themselves and their loved ones.

5. Changing Cultural Perceptions of Death

As business technology makes death more accessible and visible, it’s also contributing to a shift in the way we perceive death and grieve:

• Normalization of Digital Death Discussions: With the rise of online memorials, forums, and social media tributes, talking about death has become more normalized. Platforms like Reddit have spaces where users can openly discuss grief and share their experiences, reducing the stigma around death and creating more supportive communities for those grieving.
• Grief Support Communities: The internet has opened the door to virtual support groups for those dealing with loss. Facebook groups, specialized forums, and virtual memorial spaces allow people to connect with others who are going through similar experiences, creating a sense of solidarity and understanding that transcends geographical boundaries.
• Crowdsourcing Grief Responses: Crowdsourcing platforms like GoFundMe have given rise to a new way to grieve—by collectively supporting the loved ones of those who have passed away. These campaigns often raise money for funeral expenses, medical bills, or other needs, but they also serve as public acts of mourning and celebration, helping those who are grieving feel supported.

6. Rethinking the Timeline of Life and Death

As people begin to digitally preserve their identities and legacy, the traditional timeline of life and death is being blurred. Many are now thinking about death not as a singular moment but as a gradual process that includes how one’s digital life continues to influence the world after death.

Digital Identity Management: The rise of digital afterlife management is prompting new businesses to think about death not as a finality, but as a continuation of a person’s digital footprint. Tools like Google Inactive Account Manager and Facebook Legacy Contacts are helping users manage their accounts and data after they pass away, creating a more seamless and considerate transition for their digital identity

Continuing Legacy: Businesses are beginning to see the potential for posthumous content creation, especially in fields like media, entertainment, and publishing. Celebrities like Tupac Shakur have continued to “perform” through digital recreations, and there’s growing interest in utilizing AI to create new works of art, music, and even books posthumously.