Tech-connected individuals are no longer content to keep their cell phones close by at every waking moment; according to an article published by MSNBC, many of these individuals request to be buried with their gadgets.
As Noelle Potvin, a family service counselor for Hollywood Forever in California, tells MSNBC, "It seems that everyone under 40 who dies takes their cell phone with them. It’s a trend with BlackBerrys, too. We even had one guy who was buried with his Game Boy."
This bizarre burial trend isn't limited to the United States, however. London-based think tank The Future Laboratory also spotted the desire for the deceased to be interred with their cell phones throughout the UK, South Africa and Australia.
Getting Buried with Your Cell Phone
Take Your Tech With You Into the Afterlife
Trend Themes
1. Cell Phone Burial - Opportunity for funeral homes to offer customized burial services that cater to individuals who wish to be buried with their cell phones and other gadgets.
2. Tech-inspired Funerals - Potential for funeral industry to incorporate technology into funeral services, such as live-streaming the ceremony or creating digital memorials.
3. Emotional Attachment to Technology - Rise in the emotional significance of technology leading to opportunities for companies to create personalized digital legacies or afterlife experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Funeral Services - Funeral homes and directors can tap into the trend of cell phone burial by offering specialized burial options and technology-infused funeral services.
2. Mobile Device Manufacturing - Mobile phone companies can explore opportunities in designing customizable devices specifically for burial purposes, catering to individuals who want to be buried with their phones.
3. Digital Legacy Services - Companies can provide services that help individuals create and manage their digital legacies, allowing them to preserve their online presence even after death.