Dying, Death, and Grief in an Online Universe

" This text provides current information about thanatechnology, the communication technology used in providing death education, grief counseling, and thanatology research. It offers a broad overview of how the communication technology revolution affects individuals coping with end-of-life issues, death-related and non-death loss and grief, and implications of the digital divide between those who have access to modern technology and those who do not. It describes the proliferation of online support groups and social network sites to cope with loss, and mechanisms for its commemoration. It also highlights blogging as a means of storytelling and SKYPE as a communication tool during times of loss and grief. The issue of disenfranchised grief experienced by online community members is also explored along with ethical issues. "