Facebook app sends goodbye message from the grave

A new Facebook app gives users the chance for one message from beyond the grave, sending a final video or text message as a wall posting.

Free app If I Die, created by Israeli start-up Willook, hands the message to three “trustees” who see that it’s sent out to all of the user’s Facebook friends. Death is confirmed before posting.

The message can be a will, a story, a secret never shared, a message to the nation, or a video clip for the next generation.

According to Willook, use of the application is broken down into three simple steps. First, the user downloads the application.

They are then asked to record a message via the network camera on the computer, or to record a text message they wish to share after their death.

Finally, the user names three trustees from among their Facebook friends who are authorised to report the user’s death.

The trustees will be notified of their role and will be responsible for reporting the user’s death via the application interface.

After all three trustees have reported the death of the user, their recorded message will be published on their Facebook page.

While this idea is a bit morbid, perhaps there are other ways in which to honour someone’s memory via social media.