ABSTRACT
The media’s ability and intention to draw viewers into their stories by showcasing relatable people giving voice to universal experiences – such as love and grief – creates a sense of connection and empathy in the viewer. This chapter discusses “vicarious grief”. Communication with the dead takes place through less tangible means as well, notably via social media. The chapter talks about a continuum of connections between songwriters and the disaster events about which they write, from direct and deeply personal connections to imagined similarities and outsider perspectives. One of the more fascinating revelations of disaster song database is that it seems that the majority of songwriters are not directly connected to the disasters they write about. The experience of grief can vary based on a number of factors, including the nature of the relationship to the deceased, the circumstances of the death and of the bereaved, coping strategies, the bereaved’s age, and supports available to the bereaved.
