Just bringing this to the top again.

Be nice if something happened.

I like the idea of the yellow rose and the phrase "in remembrance". I also agree that a member should be able to opt out if they don't want to be included in this. It would be nice if something could be set up soon, as it seems there are quite a few members that have passed on whom friends want to memorialize. Also, it would be nice to see an avatar other than the paper bag!

I like the idea of R.I.P. on the member's profile, not covering the entire image, but perhaps across the top, bottom, or middle--whichever has the least impact on the image itself.

It seems as though most of us are agreed that SOMETHING should be done; we're just undecided as to what it should be.

And how is one going to opt out? They won't really be around to ask...

I would think that once it is put in place, all now-alive players could say on their profile (maybe by ticking a box) whether we would like to be memorialized this way or not in the future.

Probably the easiest way to solve that would be to have it default to off and have to opt in.

If it's not any extra trouble for those making the changes, I think it would be nice to let individual teams, when involved, decide how they want to memorialize their members. There seem to be quite a few varying ideas, all valid. Some teams may want banners, some may want a rose and "In Memoriam", some may want "R.I.P." across the player's avatar--which was personal to them--while others may want something else entirely.

For our team, for example, I'm willing to prepare the avatar with the appropriate phrase on it, but of course I couldn't access our friends' accounts to make the change.

Oh dear, that's a lovely thought, and sensible - but to be honest, it would rather incline to make me gulp. Could even put prospective new members off.

It's too much like a FT last will and testament, too much a reminder of one's mortality - and a little like here in Australia on our driver's licences, where we get to tick whether we want to be an organ donor or not. Talk about encouraging one to get into a moving vehicle. My organs shiver in apprehension.

I sure don't like the paper bag image though. That's kind of like sticking grandma's ashes on the mantelpiece.

A small RIP placed across one corner of a deceased member's last used avatar sounds OK. It gives one the information, plus a happy memory of that person.

(That was in response to reply 1147525)

But, many of us do not want a RIP of any sort... small or otherwise. There would definitely need to be an option to allow it, or to opt out.

I just scrolled back through all the entries to the beginning out of curiosity's sake, PC, but can only find one or two, yourself included, who don't care for that idea.

Quite a few, however, prefer the yellow rose. I did too at first, but how are people supposed to know what that actually means? It isn't a recognised symbol for mourning as far as I know.

I doubt if the members would all agree on any one symbol. It'd be a miracle if we did. So it's probably best, if anything is going to be done at all, that it's left up to the chief.

I wouldn't want RIP. I've always found the phrase Rest in Peace to be creepy.

I thought we had somehow managed to agree on a yellow rose. How about a banner saying In Memoriam?

The simpler the the better and the less complaints.

@postcards2go Maybe just have it so that those who do want it will click the option and be done with it. If you don't click the option it'll be known you don't want it, just thinking it'll be less confusing?

I personally think it's a very sweet and kind thing to do, I've met some very cool people on here and would like to know if something should happen to them(I know that may sound warped, but I mean it in the sincerest way). The argument could be made, I could just ask for their e-mail or social media information, but some people are real private and I don't want to come across as a stalker or something, plus I am proud to say I don't have a social media account and never intend too.

It's completely understandable that some people don't want that and I believe there's not one of us that doesn't respect those who don't. Although, to scrap the whole idea because there are those who object to it, is simply unfair. The option isn't being forced upon anyone, it's not an all or nothing request being presented; therefore it shouldn't be treated like one. We all know we have players from around the world with different religions and cultures. I don't see how we can't offer a few options to choose from that doesn't infringe on one's belief. If the player wishes to have one when they click the option a few pictures will be presented for them to choose from, I believe all of us can agree on a few pictures that encompasses and respects everyone's beliefs.

Maybe couple types of flowers, a rainbow, a bird, or maybe just maybe. When the person selects to do the option they can upload a pic they want like they do for their profiles? Limit the size of the file and it has to be approved? I know I might be getting way ahead of myself, I'm just tossing out some ideas!

Anyhow, that's my two cents!

How's this idea? Leave the avatars alone. Since the dead are no longer walking around in countries, how about replacing their location with the word 'Deceased'? Their flag would remain indication which country they were from, we would still have their avatar but un-altered. No disputes about replacing the avatar with a rose or draping black bunting across the avatar. The 'last seen on' would stay at a date they last were here.

-or-

Leave the location alone and put a black flag for the country?

Deadwood, I agree, having the ability to click if you want it, would be the way to be sure people have a say in what is done with their 'remains'.

Even within families, there are differing views on what to do after a death, so to try and come to a consensus among thousands of people, is unlikely to happen.

I agree people should have the option.

Why not something like "At Peace" or "At Rest"

On a website created for our high school reunion recently, there was a tab for classmates who have passed away. The symbol was a red rose. I think it was obvious, though not a symbol that is universally recognized. If the yellow rose is chosen, I think it would be explained somewhere that it commemorates FT members who have died.

I think it's a little... excessive... to have people make FunTrivia Wills in the case that they die.

Frankly, it should be a case-by-case basis. I can understand why bag-on-head may seem a little... disrespectful? for the deceased. I'd suggest admins simply have a way to clear an avatar so there is no avatar for those people.

Admins could also change the "hobbies" text to something on a case-by-case basis if family members (or very close friends) requested.

That sounds like a good, and simple answer to this.

Would it be simple just to create a new member status, instead of Gold, regular, or editor? It wouldn't have to say deceased if that was considered to be too accurate, but if the system requires something instead of just a blank, then it could be whatever Terry considers appropriate - the forums will never agree on anything! Could that status automatically do whatever is required to the avatar, and maybe delete the hobbies and comments - just to keep it straightforward to administer?

Yes it does!

Not knowing that this topic was here I started a thread in the Fun Trivia Lounge titled: Remembering funtrivia friends http://www.funtrivia.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/1149258#Post1149258

Just simply add a user name/or first name and a small description of the person if you want to.

As far as avatars, everyone is familiar with stars, so why not have a twinkling star trimmed in black, so it shows up on any page, in place of things like the "gold member" yellow one or the editor red one? I think that it would signify that the deceased person is at peace, to say the least. It's an easy fix and a deceased user's avatar image could stay the same as it's always been?

I've said this before - whatever FT does it can not rely on a member's existing avatar staying the same forever as that avatar is hosted elsewhere. The member's family might close that account, the account might simply lapse, or the hosting company might go pfft - in any of these cases the avatar would give way to an empty box with a "broken" icon. The only solution to this would be for FT to replace the member's avatar with something hosted on the FT server, hence the suggestions for a single avatar that would be used for everyone. People would come to know what it meant, in the same way that we learn what other symbols mean.

Of course there's an element of taste in what is chosen, cultural differences affect not just content but also style; hence the idea for a single flower that no one would object to. Frankly, if you put something sparkly anywhere near my profile, I shall come back to haunt you!

What's the trouble with leaving the player's avatar in place until an error message shows up, then go to a generic?