Man has always wondered about death, the meaning of life and what he leaves behind. In an era in which technology seems to offer answers and solutions to every aspect of human existence, a startup has decided to tackle the deepest and most mysterious topic of all: the end of life. Goodbyeemo, digital platform founded by two Italians, it presents itself as a virtual bridge between the world of the living and that of the deceased. No, they don't do seances. So how? Allowing anyone to leave a final trace of themselves in the form of posthumous messages. A service that raises existential and philosophical questions: can technology ease the pain of loss? Can a digital message replace the warmth of a goodbye said in person? And again, how important it is to say what you feel. Even if only through a screen, when are you aware that the time available has now expired?
The eternal dilemma of man in the face of death
The fear of death is a universal feeling, which all human beings have in common. It is the fear of leaving this world without having said or done everything you wanted. Of not having had time to ask for forgiveness, to express gratitude, to share one last memory with loved ones. Goodbyememo was born precisely from the desire to offer an answer to this profoundly human need. And it does so by exploiting the potential of technology to create a virtual space in which to entrust one's most intimate thoughts, in the knowledge that they will be delivered to their destination when they are no longer able to do so in person.
The operation of the platform is immediate. Users can write one or more messages, choosing the recipients to send them to and setting the delivery methods. They can opt for the “self check“, a sort of periodic reminder asking them to confirm that they are still alive. Or for the “Friend's Check“, entrusting a trusted person with the task of communicating the passing away. Once the chosen conditions are met, the messages are sent automatically, allowing those who receive them to read the last words of the deceased, or to still hear their voice through the screen of a computer or smartphone.
Beyond national borders: the international success of Goodbyememo
The brainchild of Vincenzo Rusciano e Matteo Feliciani, from Barcelona and Rome respectively, Goodbyememo quickly crossed the Italian borders, conquering users all over the world. Particularly significant is the partnership established with Hospice UK, a non-profit organization bringing together over 200 care homes in the UK. Through the platform, users can choose to allocate a bequest to this reality, making a gesture of solidarity and generosity towards those who find themselves facing the terminal phase of their existence. Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration with Lawdepot, Goodbyememo allows users in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom to draw up a digital will for free, adding a practical and legal dimension to the service offered.
Ethical and philosophical questions: the role of technology in the face of death
Beyond (I could have written Afterlife and this time you would not have corrected the mistake) the technical aspects and the goals achieved, what makes Goodbyememo such an interesting initiative is its ability to inspire profound reflections on the relationship between man, death and technology. Can a digital service like this really ease the pain of those who remain? How authentic can a farewell entrusted to an algorithm be, programmed to be delivered at a precise moment, when the person who wrote it is no longer there? These are questions which, as always, do not have simple or unequivocal answers, but which are worth asking when faced with an initiative like this.
Perhaps, then, the greatest value of a service like Goodbyememo lies in reminding us of the importance of expressing our feelings, of sharing our thoughts with the people we love, while we have the chance.
Goodbyememo or the importance of saying what matters, while you still have time
It's true, death remains an unfathomable mystery, a dark horizon that inspires fear and dismay. This is also why it is there who wants to fight it, titanically, to transform it into a “chronic disease”. It is equally true, however, that in any case it is up to us to decide how to live the time given to us, how to fill every moment, every word, every gesture with meaning. Goodbyememo is a way to exorcise the fear of death, to not have heavy hearts at the thought of leaving the world, but also to celebrate the beauty and importance of every single moment lived. Because ultimately, the most precious legacy we can leave to those we love are not just the words entrusted to a posthumous message, but the memory of a life lived with authenticity, generosity and love.
