Why we built After

We are committed to preserving all life stories so we continue to be inspired by the legacy of those who came before us

It is an unsettling fact that the vast majority of the 107 billion people who have entered this world left no trace of themselves. Public tributes have long been reserved for a small handful of celebrities and leaders, while the rest of us hope against the odds that our own descendants might at least remember our names or keep our photos, until those too eventually fade. The Covid-19 pandemic has focused attention not just on the value of life, but also on the uncomfortable question of how to deal with loss and honor those who have passed. 

Some comfort is offered by obituaries and genealogy websites, but trying to sum up entire lives in one paragraph, or trying to understand a personality by gathering stories from distant relatives at funerals doesn’t do them justice. Distant memories are difficult to recall at the best of times, let alone when grieving. Our loved ones are too often remembered as a formulaic, one-paragraph summary, instead of the meaningful tributes they deserve. 

We want to change the way people deal with loss, help them through the duties that come with bereavement, and promote the celebration of lives that have run their course.

That’s why we created After.io, a community social media platform that allows friends and families to come together to commemorate a loved one’s life and preserve their legacy through stories, tributes, photographs, personal works, and more.