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Memorials and the internet, BBC article

Grief Support Articles
Written by BBC News, Patrick Jackson
Saturday, 25 August 2007
BBC News Web site recently ran an interesting article discussing coping with death on the internet. The articles author, Patrick Jackson says "Some may regard the idea of messaging condolences to someone electronically as inappropriate but to those growing up on Facebook and MySpace it is becoming second nature. " Jackson goes on to discuss emotional issues connected to web based memorials, surmising that although it is not for everyone it can help to a degree with the bereavement process. "In the aftermath of tragedy, going online to leave a tribute, swap messages or blog about your feelings is a positive emotional factor", according to Prof Douglas Davies, director of the death and life studies centre at Durham University. "In a crisis situation, action is one of the very few things people have as a coping mechanism and in one sense it almost does not matter what the activity is," he told the BBC News website. The article concludes with some moving and emotive responses from readers. To take at look at the article in it's entirety please visit the BBC News Website.