Bridging Bond Beyond Life: Designing VR Memorial Space with Stakeholder Collaboration via Research through Design
Heejae Bae, Nayeong Kim, Sehee Lee, Tak Yeon Lee
TL;DR
This paper investigates how VR can bridge the needs of the dying and the bereaved by designing a personalized VR memorial space through a Research through Design (RtD) process. It follows three phases—Participatory Design, Development, and User Testing—centered on two stakeholders (Owner and Visitor) to derive a stakeholder-driven design and evaluate its emotional and relational impact. The study demonstrates that VR memorial spaces can function as bonding media, enabling content updates, deeper understanding of the Owner, and new inter-visitor connections, while offering concrete design elements (imaginative interactions, minimalist visuals, and spatial audio) to enhance engagement. Although limited by a small, non-diverse sample and short-term evaluation, the work provides actionable guidance for creating inclusive, emotionally resonant digital memorials and lays groundwork for broader, longitudinal studies in memorial culture.
Abstract
The integration of digital technologies into memorialization practices offers opportunities to transcend physical and temporal limitations. However, designing personalized memorial spaces that address the diverse needs of the dying and the bereaved remains underexplored. Using a Research through Design (RtD) approach, we conducted a three-phase study: participatory design, VR memorial space development, and user testing. This study highlights three key aspects: 1) the value of VR memorial spaces as bonding mediums, 2) the role of a design process that engages users through co-design, development, and user testing in addressing the needs of the dying and the bereaved, and 3) design elements that enhance the VR memorial experience. This research lays the foundation for personalized VR memorialization practices, providing insights into how technology can enrich remembrance and relational experiences.