What happens when we're gone?

By Megan Voss

“What will you leave behind?”

Most people would like to a leave behind a legacy or having contributed to a worthy cause. The header of the new Facebook app, “ifidie,” (if I die) gives you options to leave a video or text message on your Facebook page. The material posted once the three trustees that you appoint through the app confirm your death. It’s the only Facebook app of its kind – a digital afterlife.

The app’s light take on death even prompted a question on the FAQ page, “Is this a joke?”

During the minute and nine-second promo video, a daytimer with various activities scheduled throughout the week is shown.

“I don’t remember scheduling an appointment with death,” a man with an English accent says, sounding surprised, “and you’re right, but so is death – right around the corner,” he continues, while you watch as a grim reaper holding a scythe gets crushed by a falling piano.

Despite the over 7,000 “likes” on Facebook for the app released early last week, the general consensus on Twitter is that it is creepy. One person tweeted, “If you’re dead, why would you care?”

Good question.

Imagine that you found out that a classmate had passed away. A few weeks later back in school, you are hanging out with your classmates. Suddenly the voice of your deceased classmate can be heard. Imagine the thoughts swirling through your head – the sudden hope that it was all just a horrible joke. But no, it’s just a pre-recorded video, uploaded to their Facebook.

Or maybe take it the other way. The app has a page where people can post comments. Among the blog posts of “How to stage your death in six easy steps,” one posts reads, “This app might be more fun if my ‘trustees’ were actually trustworthy.”

What will I leave behind? Will it be a pre-recorded Facebook video (who knows how old – I mean, how often do you update those kinds of things?), or a message?

Only Facebook will know.