Gravebook: New Apps Let You Update Social Media After You Die

We all know what happens on Facebook when somebody dies: Their page becomes a digital memorial, full of messages, photos and mementos from friends and family. But what if the deceased could keep in touch on social media post mortem, posting last goodbyes, birthday wishes, etc.? Would you think that’s creepy or awesome?

CNN posted an article recently about a slew of new of social-media apps that allow users to keep communicating with followers from beyond the grave. The programs allow for a range of post-death communication, from pre-made statuses to personalized emails to birthday well-wishes.

One company, DeadSocial, enables users to send after-death messages to followers on Facebook, Twitter, and even LinkedIn notifying them of their death. You can also create text, picture, and video messages (eerie!). The app If I Die will send public or private messages to the recipients of your choosing.

Perhaps the creepiest of all, though, is _LivesOn. Its tagline: “When your heart stops beating, you’ll keep tweeting.” The program does just that by monitoring the habits of Twitter users while they’re alive to learn what they like, how they post and even possibly mimic their syntax. From there it will create a shadow Twitter account that will tweet daily based on the person’s interests and habits. Eventually the company hopes to have Twitter accounts that carry on in the voice of the original account. _LivesOn will offer services to test users beginning in March.

All of these apps rely on “executors” or trustees whom you appoint when you set up your account. These people are told to inform the app host of your demise in order to turn on the services. So you’d better choose your executors wisely (i.e. no practical jokers, please).

Read CNN’s full report here.

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