The Changing Deathscape: Death and Grief in the Digital Age

As our lives become increasingly digital, so do the ways we mourn, remember, and stay connected to those we’ve lost. This survey‑style class explores the rapidly changing “deathscape,” where technology shapes everything from how we announce a death to how we preserve stories, create memorials, and support one another through grief. Drawing on real examples—from social media memorials and virtual funerals to AI chatbots, holographic tributes, and digital legacy planning—we’ll examine how these tools are reshaping cultural traditions, ethical expectations, and the emotional experience of loss.

Together, we will:

• Trace how death notifications, memorials, and rituals are moving online—and what that means for families and communities
• Explore digital grief spaces
• Look at emerging technologies
• Consider the ethical questions raised by digital remembrance: consent, privacy, data ownership, misinformation, and cultural inclusivity
• Reflect on how caregivers, educators, and death‑care professionals can navigate these tools with sensitivity and awareness

By the end of the session, participants will have a grounded understanding of how technology is transforming contemporary death care—and practical ways to approach these evolving spaces with empathy, fairness, and cultural respect.

All class proceeds directly support the Center for Death Education’s mission.