How would we find out if a DU'er REALLY died?

[Taverner]

Just wondering...my little thing got me thinking...

How would we find out if someone here actually passed away?

[GOPisEvil]

1. It's happened.

I believe a relative has contacted the admins to let them know in the past.

[On the Road]

2. Well, in JunkDrawer's Case,

the DUer's adult son told the community. No?

[Old and In the Way]

3. He died????

He was just posting here a few days ago. Anyone have a link or info??

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. That wasn't Junkdrawer who is very much alive and posting

that was AllJunkMail :D

[MichaelHarris]

4. Its a good question

With all of us exchanging ideas in this realm called cyberspace we develop special bonds with people. Some people use the internet as a tool to reach out when their real world has closed in on them. We all want to say we are compassionate and caring for everyone we've met but the reality of it is we know very little about the people we meet online. Some people just leave and we may never know their fate. All we can really do is keep them in our hearts and minds and hope and pray for them if need be.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. several DU'ers have passed away over the past few years

usually someone from their family informs us.

[southerngirlwriter]

7. This has happened before in my life.

Three times, long-time members of a listserv I owned have died. Once, we got worried and started putting clues together. You'd be amazed how much minor information people casually mention that, added up, makes it fairly easy to find them. We placed a call and were told that yes, a student at that school in that department had recently passed away.

The other two times, a relative sent out a mass e-mail to everyone in the address book.

Another time, a member of a listserv I belonged to didn't post at all for eight months. He was from NYC, his last post was on September 10th, 2001, and so you can imagine what we were all thinking. There turned out to be another explanation, and when he came back you never saw so many happy people in your life.

In my case, my adoptive father has a sealed envelope with a list of e-mail address and discussion boards to notify in the event of my death, and a few messages to pass along, as well.

I have a list of people and their hometowns and phone numbers with instructions from him as to who to call if he's sick and who to call if he's dead.

Counting the time we discussed it and made the lists, it took us 3 hours. Those 3 hours gave us both a lot of peace. I recommend everyone who's active on the net have such a plan.

[Taverner]

9. Probably a good idea

however I don't think I'd want to bring anyone's day down if I passed on...

[southerngirlwriter]

10. Trust me, you wouldn't be bringing it down nearly as much

as it brought our listserv down when four of us were playing detective, reading obituaries, going through archives to add up clues, etc., to find our missing poster (we had reason to believe something was wrong -- that he wouldn't just fade away).

That was weeks of being "brought down." It was awful. :cry:

[Taverner]

12. True probably right

However I've always avoided discussing death. My wife gets all over my case since i haven't made out a living trust, or have gotten life insurance (and I have a 9 month old)

Thinking about death just...bothers me.

[SheilaT]

16. If you die

without a will or trust work in place, you will have no control over how your assets are divided. Your spouse may not even be able to have legal custody of your child -- you'd be surprised at the strange laws some states have.

Life insurance is to replace your income if you die. If you think it's a good idea for your wife and child to be left destitute, then by all means, don't bother with life insurance. After all, you'll be dead and won't need to know about what they're going through.

Okay, that's more than a little harsh, but it's irresponsible of you not to at least have a simple will and some minimal life insurance now that you have a kid.

Do it immediately.

[Blue-Jay]

8. I've added a DUer to my list.

It's in an envelope titled "In the event of my unfortunate death." It's a contact list and a will, of sorts. Also a few messages to a few people. I imagine somebody will find it if I buy the farm, and abide by my wishes.

Yeah, it's a little morbid, but it makes me feel better to have it.

[southerngirlwriter]

11. No, it's not morbid.

There is a 100% chance that you will eventually die.

It's not morbid -- it's reasonable and responsible. Good for you! :thumbsup:

[Intelsucks]

13. That picture in your sig line is hilarious!

Who was originally in the picture, prior to photo-shopping?:hi:

[buddhamama]

14. well, in my case

Crew would probably post the bad news, or not, guess it depends on how y'all feel about me. :-)

My SO would get in touch with her if something were to happen to me.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

15. If I die and you have ever flamed me

I'll come back and haunt your ass..that's how you'll know :evilgrin: