Digitisation of grief and mourning

In recent times, social media has become a part of our identity. It is like an open diary, where the posts we create and share reveal a part of our personality, from which the viewers can sense an individual's persona.

- SAKHIE PANT

In recent times, social media has become a part of our identity. It is like an open diary, where the posts we create and share reveal a part of our personality, from which the viewers can sense an individual's persona. Similarly, the functions of social media are expanding, which could compensate for limited face-to-face social interactions in everyday life. Social media bridges the barriers of time and distance, allowing individuals to update about their life situations and connect with virtual family, friends and colleagues.

The charm of social media is that it provides a platform to share feelings and experiences. Photos, thoughts, videos, blog posts, or vlogs allow a space where people, including strangers, can read/watch and relate to certain feelings. This also applies when someone is grieving or honouring the deceased, a healthy way to process grief. Even in cases of tragic global events, the emergence of hashtags such as #ThoughtsAndPrayers provides space for collective mourning.