Today Facebook introduced Legacy Contacts and updated memorialized profiles. During my six years of research on death and social network sites I have seen the powerful ways that post-mortem profiles can be places for communities to gather and support each other, but until now they were often unmanaged. Legacy contacts changes this. So much work has gone into this product, but it is finally here. I feel really strongly about my research serving the communities I work with, so when Facebook reached out to ask if I would be willing to help them take this step I couldn’t say no. I have worked with many people during some of the most difficult parts of their lives. It’s great that my research is having an impact, but mostly I’m grateful to the people who were willing to share their experiences. The most gratifying aspect of these new features is knowing that these changes will make Facebook a more supportive space for people during challenging times.

Please pass on my deep gratitude to everyone at ARCS for their support.

If you want, read more about today's release here:

http://news.uci.edu/features/overseeing-your-online-afterlife/

http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2015/02/adding-a-legacy-contact/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-heir-time-to-choose-who-manages-your-account-when-you-die-1423738802