Although foreseeing the future is an impossible task, biomedical advances, online obituaries, and social media sites impact how we think about death and burial. As we learn more about how these advances will affect our lives, it is essential to consider how these changes may impact obituaries and funeral rituals. In addition, advances in genetic engineering and biomedical research may make certain diseases obsolete or allow people to modify their genetic code to create new organs. These advances may also allow us to determine when life begins, making ethical decision-making easier.
Biomedical advances
The report describes the symptoms and consequences of advanced disease that affect the dying and the gaps between existing knowledge and the actual practice of medicine. Pain, for example, is one of the most common symptoms of advanced disease, and it has received significant research attention. Other physical and emotional symptoms include confusion, fatigue, wasting, and anxiety. The report challenges the biomedical research community and those who support biomedical research to broaden its base of knowledge to address these problems.
The committee recommended creating data collection protocols for those who die from diseases in clinical trials. These protocols would give researchers a better idea of what the disease victims experienced before death. If successful, such a protocol could be added to all clinical trials involving potentially fatal illnesses. This recommendation is critical given the controversial nature of assisted suicide and assisted death. It may also lead policymakers to introduce research mandates to help improve the quality of life for those dying.
Online obituaries
Traditional newspaper obituaries are a depressing affair. Family members attempt to cram as much information as possible into a single article, and many of these obituaries are too short. On the other hand, online obituaries allow relatives to expand on their loved one’s life stories. Fifty-eight percent of senior citizens now have access to the internet.
ObitLink, a new online service for obituaries, offers national exposure, additional revenue opportunities, and a memorialization website. ObitLink’s online memorialization packages take advantage of the latest Web technology, providing a memorial website, a way for visitors to interact with the family, and a professionally printed commemorative book. These features make these services affordable, and many are easy to set up and look up for records, such as the Chicago tribune obituaries (1985 – 2022).
Social media sites
We may not think of Facebook as a medium for obituaries, but its recent update changes how people view them. The site has begun to require funeral homes to post their obituaries on the social media network. In addition, rather than just a list of photos, obituaries can include interactive elements that encourage visitors to share their thoughts and feelings.
Online obituaries are becoming more interactive, allowing those who wish to share their thoughts and memories to do so from wherever they are. These obituaries have also become more personal, with more mentions of out-of-wedlock children of same-sex relationships. In addition, some obituaries have begun to state that the deceased will not be missed. The changes are profound.
Natural burial options
The funeral industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, and more people are turning to cremation and natural burial for their loved ones. Both traditional burial and cremation have their advantages, but many reasons to choose a greener option. For instance, cremation is environmentally friendly and costs considerably less than burial. Additionally, cremation is more affordable and more socially responsible, which will be more prevalent in the future. The funeral industry is being impacted by technology on many levels.
In China, for example, the government heavily subsidizes cremation. While cremation may seem like a morbid practice, in Hong Kong, ashes are interred in sea reefs. In the United States, more than 200 people are currently in cryonics storage. And in Hong Kong, the ashes are returned to the sea after a specific time. Meanwhile, apps that honor the deceased have been becoming increasingly popular.
Newspaper obituaries
If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ve probably noticed that obituaries have taken on new dimensions. They’ve become so large that they are now considered more significant than life, and virtual venues have replaced traditional newspaper obituaries as the U.S. public flocks to the 21st Century Information Highways. News publishers now offer e-obituaries, and specialty niche sites have started featuring obituaries to attract attention.
The obituary section of a newspaper is typically located near the classified ads. In addition to providing a space for grieving families to pay tribute to the deceased, obituaries also serve as part of the public record. They can also help genealogy researchers, as they are often full of historical details about a dead person. Nevertheless, the newspaper industry is making a shift that is transforming the way we handle newspaper obituaries.
Funeral homes
The world of technology is disrupting the way we view death and funeral service, requiring that funeral homes listen to their customers. The customer experience, trends, and preferences are rapidly changing, and funeral homes must adapt to meet those changes. This is especially true of the obituary. In the digital age, people expect more flexibility in their service. As a result, funeral homes need to offer new products and services and adapt to changing consumer expectations.
Before, people had two main options: burying the deceased or having a cremation. You can even transform the dead into a tree or a gem. Diversification is the key to keeping a thriving business. Many states have a “death” rule that requires funeral homes to have a viewing area for 100 people. However, it may discourage new funeral homes.
