ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the study of death online should be cultivated as a valuable interdisciplinary research field, using death and mourning to improve human understanding of digital media, using online communication as a source of insight into experiences of dying and grieving. It examines the changes in the experience and practice of dying and mourning that are being brought about by the integration of digital media into everyday life. The chapter discusses the intense online communication that followed the death of Michael Jackson, addresses three key areas: online memorials, social network sites and online communities. The online memorials are dedicated pages, created within virtual cemeteries or as stand-alone websites. Researchers interested in death can analyse the vast numbers of personal responses posted to different online platforms, or study the impact of a death within an online community where almost every interaction is archived and available to view.
