When Italian national Jacopo Vitali's young cousin died, he could not find a suitable means of openly sharing his grief and memories with friends and family far afield, so he created one online.
Unveiled to the global market today, mobile and Web-based app RipCemetery was designed as a platform for family and friends to create a virtual space to honour people - or even pets - they have lost.
Vitali says the free app - which has been launched on international crowdfunding Web site IndieGoGo - goes beyond online obituaries. "[The platform] is more interactive and a social gathering point for all who share a loss. [It is] an online community where participants can pay tribute to loved ones who have died, sharing memories, photos and videos in a safe and private environment."
RipCemetery is the first app from a team of developers based in the tech community in Venice, Italy. The group says it is focused on creating a social community that is "truly universal" and which will become part of the support network to help mourners remember and honour a loved one. The team claims RipCemetery is the world's "first ever online memorial community and support network where people can participate anytime, anywhere".
Virtual reminiscing
The new platform allows friends and family to visit a virtual memorial, leave "flowers" and other "gifts" or share a story or photo with others also suffering the loss. "It is a private outlet to help participants find peace and move forward, celebrating a life in a caring space," says Vitali.
The app offers several ways to connect and reminisce, including virtual family tombs, tribute pages, virtual flowers and gifts, and a virtual guestbook. RipCemetery also features an in-app geolocation system to facilitate visits to a loved one's memorial.
"None of the social platforms really worked as a way to remember my cousin," says Vitali. "All of our friends and family lived too far apart to gather together in one place [and] I wanted to share my feelings with others who knew him.
"[The online cemetery] is a new way to help everyone who is dealing with loss."
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