Abstract
This paper addresses graveyards as a context for designing interactive technology, especially pervasive displays and the presentation of information related to graves and the dead. We present our research containing three user studies: a focus group–based study on perceptions of different display technologies in the cemetery context, evaluation of a gravestone display prototype, and a user study with a graveyard navigator prototype. Whereas, HCI research surrounding death has so far largely focused on an individual’s digital remains, our focus is on the physical graveyard setting. We contribute to understanding the potential impacts and opportunities of interactive technology in this design context. Our salient findings highlight the cultural sensitivity and importance of dignity related to the context, unobtrusiveness of the technology, and concerns for privacy and social acceptability. Concepts taking into account these design aspects were of interest for those researching family histories, and visitors seeking improved navigation for the graveyard.
Highlights
Digital technology has integrated with most aspects of our everyday lives and is driving changes to conventional habits and traditional practices
In contrast to prior academic works set in graveyard contexts, which have primarily targeted cultural heritage experiences, we aim to focus on the grave itself as the site for physical remains
A memorial room was suggested, “...a shelter attached to the graveyard where there is a placard for graves that are located in other graveyards” (P5)
Summary
Digital technology has integrated with most aspects of our everyday lives and is driving changes to conventional habits and traditional practices. Rituals related to death are one such area, where practices of remembrance and mourning are changing [40]. There is much discussion on the “digital afterlife,” addressing issues such as postmortem social media messages [12] and inheritance of digital remains [36]. Some presented digital solutions target new forms of remembrance, e.g., preserving a person’s digital remains through a Facebook memorial site. Other approaches, such as Eternime [20] aim to create digital avatars of the dead that relatives can interact with. The topic has been addressed through science fiction, e.g., Black Mirror ‘I’ll be right back’ [1] and Real Humans [6]
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