| After the death of a loved one, social networking sites may provide several important functions in relation to feeling connected to the deceased as well as others during grief. Logistically, because social networking sites can be accessed at any time of the day from anywhere in the world, bereaved individuals are able to connect with their social network whenever the desire arises. This may be especially important to college students who may be hundreds of miles away from their family and friends or access to their deceased friend's gravesite. Feeling connected to others during grief may also provide a much needed sense of comfort and community for the bereaved, which may not be readily available away from home.;The focus of the study was to examine the meanings participants in emerging adulthood attribute to a deceased loved one's social networking Webpage. Continuing bonds with the deceased were also explored. Biographic-Narrative-Inquiry-Methodology (BNIM) methodology, which is used for exploring the lived-experiences through biographic narrative interviews, was used to collect and analyze data for this research which included a systematic approach to interview methods, interpretive panels, and narrative interpretation. The final analysis utilized a thematic narrative analysis approach.;Social networking sites, with their own unique social structure and social interaction, were openly accepting of the expression of grief and continuing relationships with the deceased. In essence, the members of the social networking site created their own definitions of certain roles such as "bereaved friend" and "grieving member". Whereas in modern society where openly expressing the emotions of grief in public may be looked down upon, especially if the loss occurred many months earlier, the expression of grief emotions on a deceased person's social networking profile appeared to be normative, even months after the death. Within the social networking realm, discussing grief emotions and talking to the deceased appeared to be accepted and supported by other social network members. |
