How to create a lasting digital legacy
The list of options for keeping the memories of a loved one alive online continues to grow.
Some questions to consider about online memorial and tribute pages include:
- What can you afford?
- How easy is the site to build and maintain?
- Who will visit the memorial or tribute site?
- How long will the page be available?
A simple option is to turn the Facebook page of a loved one into a memorial site. It allows people who were already their “friends” to share tributes, to comment on older photos and to come together virtually to acknowledge birthdays and anniversaries.
Family members or friends can request that a site be memorialized by submitting a form and documentation of the death, such as an obituary here.
Memorial accounts have the word “Remembered” next to the profile name.
If a loved one listed a legacy contact for their profile that person can access the account to accept new friends and post information, such as an obituary or photos to the account.
- Here’s how to manage a memorial site if you are a legacy contact.
Other online platforms designed specifically for memorials or tributes come with a range of choices – and costs.
Many include free versions for the simple posting of obituaries and photos, while more advanced paid plans include options for photo galleries, music and virtual gatherings. Most offer public or private pages and ways to share photos and tributes on social media platforms.
Some sites are completely free (though they contain advertisements) while others charge an annual fee. If you want a permanent online memorial, with options to download a digital file, expect to pay a fee.
Features: Simple page with obituary and personal tributes that includes the option for uploading music.
Extras: Special site to remember loved ones who died due to complications from COVID-19. See examples here.
Cost: Free to $124.99 for a lifetime memorial site.
Features: Post an obituary and invite friends and family to leave tributes or make secure donations. See examples here.
Extras: Schedule a professionally-planned virtual gathering to remember loved ones starting at $1,400.
Cost: Free (memorial sites, virtual gatherings up to $3,500).
Features: Assemble photos and memories in three styles: a virtual photo album, a life story timeline or a slideshow. Invite relatives and friends to share a memory using a link to Facebook, Twitter or email link. Pages can be made public or private. See an example here.
Cost: Free
Features: Upload photos, embed videos and allow friends and loved ones to leave memories and “memento” videos and photos. Create a timeline of life milestones. See an example here.
Extras: View unlimited images in a gallery, download copies of images and create a full family tree for $74.99.
Cost: Free to $74.99
Features: Share videos, photos, obituary and life stories from a secure website. See example here.
Extras: Free shareable tribute video.
Cost: Free
Features: Simple obituary-style tributes that include photos. See example here.
Extras: Charity donations option.
Cost range: Free
Features: Includes written life stories, poems and up to 100 photos and videos. Tributes can be contributed by friends and shared on social media platforms. See an example here.
Extras: Create a custom video tribute from your photos for an additional $79.
Cost: Free to create tribute, $19.95 to preserve it online forever.
Features: Create slideshows and timelines using 150 design templates in addition to posting obituary and donation information. See an example here.
Extras: Add a remembrance garden, virtual candles and keep a private diary about the grief process.
Cost: Free
Features: Share an obituary, post photos, videos and memories using nearly 20 templates. See example here.
Cost: Free to $99 for a permanent plan.