Social media sites have changed the way we do business, as well as keep in touch with families. However, some sites will not take them down even when they haven't been used for a while, even if the person has died. This can make for some very weird situations, as even months down the road the person's profile can keep popping up. Fortunately there are some ways of dealing with this that are not disrespectful to the dead.
The person can be unfollowed or unfriended as an immediate response. Although there may be some hesitation in doing so, especially as the person may have been especially beloved or made a significant impact on the person's life, this is probably the best solution. This can give the griever a final bit of closure, especially if he was unable to go to the funeral or see the person before he passed on. This is admittedly the least he can do, but sometimes it can be enough, as it allows the person to put the person behind them in a concrete way.
Because this is the digital age, a fan page can be created for the person. This allows people to gush, deal with long-standing grudges, and basically talk about the person with others that knew him or her. This allows those that were unable to talk about the person to others a way to do so, and to get the closure that they need, be it a last farewell or a last word. It can also give others a more complete picture of the person, and to see how many others felt the same way about him. Eventually it may need to be closed down, but it can also serve as a living memorial for the person, as others add to it and it becomes something that allows them to look at even years later.
When it comes to remembering someone, a social media site can allow others to remember the person through the otherwise impersonal medium of the computer. It can draw together a group, allowing that group to gain succor from each other, as well as quickly getting the word out about news of the loved one. The social media may seem like something trivial most of the time, but sometimes they can point out the poignancy of human existence.
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