ABSTRACT
The chapter will discuss the literature on digital tools (e.g., live chats, groups, virtual memorials) used for bereavement support and will explore the specific nuances and features (asynchronous/synchronous; professional/peer support); then, implications for bereavement support and mourning within the LGBTQ+ community will be presented. When a loss occurs, timely and accessible support is pivotal to avoiding isolation and the worsening of grief. With the sense of anonymity and privacy, individuals might feel encouraged to share their experiences and discuss issues that are considered taboo or stigmatized. Individuals already struggling with social acknowledgement, such as those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, might approach virtual tools to share grief, practice self-care, and obtain support. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are used to accessing support virtually, especially youth. Literature argues that LGBTQ+ youth might be even more likely than non-LGBTQ+ youth to have online friends and to appraise these as better than in-person friends at providing emotional support. Virtual spaces are a formidable resource of peer support and offer the possibility to share memories and express emotions publicly and collectively. This may foster sense-making of a tragedy but also more specific and synchronous tools, such as live-chats, could be used for professional support.
