Good Grief: A Discourse Analysis of Online Grief Forums

Abstract

In this project I look into where grief and death related stigma, in relation with the death of people who die in a stigmatized way, comes from and its effect on people's ability to grieve in the best way for them. I go into what a spoiled identity means and the accounts grieving people create to try to save the identity of the people they have lost. Looking into where people learn how to grieve and what sources taught them it. By examining the effects of grief on people and the world around them, I saw how people's view of death can change larger groups ideas of grief. I then process what type of resources are available to people who are dealing with grief and how modern social media forums have become a key part in creating spaces for people to be able to express themselves in a safe environment.