Are There More Changes to Come Find A Grave?

I will be sharing my point of view on this subject.

I originally wasn’t going to write about the recent uproar that has occurred in the genealogy community, but here we are.

It’s been a problem for many years (I have written about it back in 2020), but it's gotten really loud this past week in light of the recent elementary school shooting in Texas - especially on Twitter - almost unbearable not to say anything.

*Please read Judy Russell’s and Roberta Estes’s blog posts to understand this issue.*

I can understand both sides of the issue.

1. Do I think family members should only create memorials for their loved ones? Yes and No. Yes- They are the ones that lost that person. If they have to arrange things after their loved one's death, they should be able to create a memorial when they are ready. No- Some people don’t know about the site and may never find it. Is there really a need to restrict FindAGrave contributors when the family may never see it?

I somewhat agree with the 5-year rule. Anyone should be able to create a memorial whose a death that occurred five years or more.

If FindAGrave proceeds, how could they only allow family members to create the memorial? How would they really know if the deceased person is a relative of the person who made the memorial?

2. Do I think there should be a wait time? I don’t know. I am on the fence about this.

I think it is safe to assume those who create memorials, specifically for celebrities, whose death has been published in the media minutes after, are not doing it from a place of care, compassion, or honor, contrary to FindaGrave's official statement to the community. They are doing it from a place of ego and pride, not from the heart.

I think the main issue for me is the intent behind the creation of any memorials. If the creator is only doing it for the numbers, which many are.

Possible Changes FindAGrave can make:

-Remove the original creator of those whose deaths are in the media

-Find A Grave should only create memorials for famous people (If that is even possible).

*Update: A petition has been started. If you think FindAGrave should change, sign here.

What are your thoughts on this topic?

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