Take Your Tech With You Into the Afterlife
Marissa Brassfield — December 23, 2008 — Unique
References: msnbc.msn & treehugger
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.
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.
Trend Themes
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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.
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Tech-inspired Funerals — Potential for funeral industry to incorporate technology into funeral services, such as live-streaming the ceremony or creating digital memorials.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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