Sandy Weatherburn, Social Embers

My Dad died on the 8th May 2020. He was 85 and lived a full and happy life. He died in hospital during the Coronavirus pandemic, meaning that visiting him in hospital was restricted. A small funeral was held for him at the local crematorium, with 9 mourners attending a brief 20 minute service, which was the maximum time that was permitted, meaning that no one except close family could be there. The service was live streamed so a few who were organised enough were able to attend virtually.

In many cultures and religions a shrine is created for a dead person. The Cambridge dictionary defines a shrine as either a place of worship or a place that is honoured because of its connection with a famous person or event. My Dad wasn’t famous, but he was well known in the town that he lived. 

I created a digital shrine, a tribute memorial website for him. I offered his friends and family a place to visit and honour him. This virtual space allowed for others to connect with one another in his memory. When I began the website, I had no idea how important it would become in processing my grief. I spent many hours looking at pictures of my Dad from throughout his life and not just the more recent ones of him being old and infirm. I saw him as a young man, a happy man and I was reminded of his full life and all that he had achieved. This process did not overwhelm me, it helped me accept his death. I imagine creating a similar digital shrine for someone who has died unexpectedly or at a younger age would have been more difficult, but the process was cathartic and gave me an insight into my Dad as a whole person. Looking at pictures of him that were taken before I was born, helped me see him as an individual, not just as my father. The digital space that I have created offers me a place to return, whenever I need to. It is a space that others can visit too, to remember, to mourn and to honour my Dad. 

Speaker Bio

My interest in technology and death began in 2012 when a close relative died suddenly. What was to become of her digital footprint took me on a journey of my own, and led me to attend the Digital Legacy Conference in 2016. I have since completed a MA course in Death Religion and Culture with Winchester University

Ticket information

The Digital Legacy Conference is free to attend for EAPC 2021 ticket holders. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased for £20 using the button below.

*The Digital Legacy Conference is a not for profit event run annually by the Digital Legacy Association. It is able to take place each year due to the kind support provided by sponsors, supporters and volunteers. If you or your organisation is interested in sponsoring this year’s conference click here.

Previous Digital Legacy conferences have taken place at UCL Partners (London), Sienna College (New York), EAPC (Berlin) and St Joseph’s Hospice (London). If you would like the Digital Legacy Conference 2022 to take place at your conference, congress, university, office or place of research please do get in touch