Send E-Mail After You Die

D.C. NBC 4 ^

[Dbdaily]

Send E-Mail After You Die Site Allows You To Send Final Messages To Family After Passing Away

CLEVELAND -- It may seem a little creepy, but thousands are signing up for an online service that allows them to compose e-mail goodbyes to loved ones in case they pass away, Cleveland television station WEWS reported.

People like Beverly Bright feel better knowing they've stored "exit e-mails" for their families.

Would you use a service to send an e-mail to family and friends after you have passed away?YesNo

"I thought it was just a really great way to let your friend and family have messages and thoughts," Bright said.

She signed on with LastWishes.com. The company stores the e-mail message, including photos and videos, until someone the customer has designated lets them know it's time to hit send.

"We go through a verification process to ensure that the, you know, information is correct and that the person has in fact died," said Jonathan Yeo, with LastWishes.

Along with your farewell, you can also set up profile pages with important information. That's why Brandy Shacklette signed up for the service.

"I'm single and basically nobody really has any of my information. If something was to ever happen to me and, you know, with this Web site, they're able to get into my checking account, find out my Social (Security number)," Shacklette said.

Psychiatrists say there are benefits to the electronic farewells, but there is a warning.

"There is the potential for a lot of damage. Something like an e-mail from a dead person is going to be jarring," said Dr. Eva Ritvo, a psychiatrist.

Bright and Shacklette have let their families know about the future farewells and, with their affairs in order, both now say they can rest easy.

"The thought of getting a message from beyond from someone you love, I think is truly a gift," Bright said.

Once you've signed up for the service you can update the information as often as you want.

More than 7,000 people signed up for the plan in the first three months of operation.

[danneskjold]

Or just tell the ones you care about how feel about them while you (and they) are still around...

[July 4th]

Cool idea, just as long as the service isn't like Bob Hope and the Associated Press. I don't know how many times they sent out his obituary before he died.

[So Cal Rocket]

After Death E-mail:

To: Cook County Registrar of Voters
From: Newly Departed
Subject: Voter Registration

I have recently died. Please update your voting records to show the change in my party affiliation from Republican to Democrat, so that I may vote in the next election.

[stainlessbanner]

Who did their market analysis? There is no repeat bidness!

[mrsmith]

Subject: re: I Told You I was Sick

[TheBigB]

TO: all my ex-girlfriends.

Wish you were here.

XOXOXOX,
BigB

[Hank Rearden]

I'm gonna send spam when I die.

What'll they do about it - kick my butt?

[stanz]

Dear relatives:

For all my sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins who never came to visit me in the hospital or call or even send a card or inquire as to my welfare over the years, please be advised that I have bequeathed my entire estate to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in your names.

[CFC__VRWC]

I'm gonna send spam when I die.

Arrange to forward all your current spam to loved ones -
"Hi, since I'm dead there's no way these guys are going to make my penis larger, but maybe they can help you!"

[anonymous_user]

How about suicide notes?

[lilylangtree]

Like my mother told me years ago, "if you can't send me flowers while I'm alive, don't send them when I'm dead". If you can't talk to your loved one while you're alive why send them a message after you're dead. You're just making someone else richer.

[Gefreiter]

I don't travel often in my job, but if I'm flying for bidness, ie alone, I write a letter to my wife before I go. I leave it with a friend. If something happens, it gets delivered. If not, I rip it up when I get back and count myself lucky we have some more time together.

A little sappy, maybe, but in my estimation a whole lot less tacky than email.

[Arkie2]

I don't see an issue here. After all, if you're a Democrat you can still vote after you die.

[weegee]

I'm going to avoid making a gratuitous rigor mortis joke.

[Bulldog1967]

The only kind of email I'm sendin' after I croak is SPAM!

[PatrickHenry]

Longie:
If you get this post, it means only one thing ... yes, it means I've hit the big "post" button. It's been nice freeping with you. Carry on.

[CharlotteVRWC]

The last email I sent my Dad was the internet joke going
around "when Bill Gates goes to Heaven" or something like that. He read the email around 10am. Later that day he died unexpectedly. I didn't realize until a week or more later when I was checking some emails sent, that the Bill Gates Joke was the last email he got from me.

[radiohead]

If you can't talk to your loved one while you're alive

I agree, but I think there is another reason to send these messages.

I have a number of rather close online friends. I would like them to know that I'm gone (having had a heart attack scare the other week and winding up in the emergency room, passing on has been preying on my mind lately) in case I 'leave' suddenly.

I've already told my son about what lists I'm on, etc. so he can tell these people that radiohead won't be talking to them anymore.

These people don't have my phone number, etc, there's really no other way to contact them but thru email. I'd like them to know that I'm not ignoring them. : )

[MIchaelTArchangel]

"There is the potential for a lot of damage. Something like an e-mail from a dead person is going to be jarring," said Dr. Eva Ritvo, a psychiatrist.

Someone ought to tell this twit psychiatrist that much of the e-mail many of us receive from the living is quite jarring.