Emerging digital technologies on death and dying: A scoping review

Background: In today's rapidly advancing technological world, digital tools are transforming how we perceive and approach death. As these technologies intersect with death and dying, they create new ways to mourn, grieve, and experience death. Objective: This review aimed to investigate digital technologies designed to address death and dying, focusing on their purpose, intervention focus, target audience, and examining the ethical considerations and impact of their use. Methods: This review followed the JBI Scoping Review methodology, using the PCC framework for inclusion criteria. Six databases were searched, along with Google for grey literature. Results were reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: Thirty-eight records examined digital technologies, including VR, AI, griefbots, and Social Networks. Most focus on the "after-death stage" to help cope with grief. The primary target users are family and friends. Most studies do not discuss ethical considerations or impacts. Conclusions: This review highlights the rise of death tech, presenting opportunities but revealing gaps in understanding their long-term effects and ethics. Future research should evaluate societal and mental health impacts, emphasising design as well as ethical and legal considerations.