How to Use Social Media to Keep Memories of Loved Ones Alive
By: Allison Gilbert
On days that feel especially hard to be without your loved one, such as their birthday or anniversary of their death, it’s often helpful to hear and share stories about the person you miss most.
Here’s an opportunity for using social media to keep your memories alive. I think this idea works especially well on Facebook.
Change your profile photo to a picture of the person you miss. The swap is a visual cue that something different is happening. Your Facebook friends should (hopefully!) stop scrolling and pay attention.
Write a brief status update about the milestone, tag people who knew your loved one best, and encourage everyone to post a favorite recollection.
Relish the memories that come in!
When I followed these steps in a post about my mom who passed away more than two decades ago, my heart was warmed by the responses. My childhood friend Brooke wrote, “I remember her make-up table in her bedroom. She was a ‘regal’ lady.” Another friend posted, “I remember your mom as being a warm woman who loved you and your brother fully and deeply. And was so full of laughter and fun!”
Technology is the low-hanging fruit of memory-keeping. If you’re inspired by this idea, please do let me know. I’d really love to hear from you.
Allison Gilbert is co-author of the forthcoming book Listen, World!: How the Intrepid Elsie Robinson Became America's Most-Read Woman, the first biography of American writer Elsie Robinson (coming September 27, 2022). Her previous books include, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive. On Allison’s popular grief and resilience blog, she features Q & A’s with some of the most notable names in our culture today including, Arianna Huffington, Jon Stewart, and bestselling authors Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Dani Shapiro, and Susan Orlean. She is host of "Women Journalists of 9/11: Their Stories,” a 20-part documentary series produced in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Featured journalists include Savannah Guthrie, Maggie Haberman, Linda Wertheimer, Dana Bash, and many others.
Please take a moment to follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She’s everywhere as “agilbertwriter."