The MemoryCache: Supporting Bereavement Through Tangible Storytelling
Sash Majara
Project Summary
Grief is a deeply personal experience, often intensified by social isolation and the loss of rituals that help us mourn. The MemoryCache, developed by Sash Mahara, is a storytelling device designed to promote social connectedness and emotional healing during times of bereavement.
The project emerged from an investigation into the emotional and social challenges of grieving, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on personal informatics, human-centered design, and narrative theory, the MemoryCache facilitates the sharing of memories through holographic projections of photos, videos, and memorabilia. Its design combines a tactile, heirloom-quality form with a mobile app that encourages users to curate and reflect on stories collaboratively.
User testing revealed that the novel format, especially the interactive flag system for sharing memories, helped reduce emotional barriers and increased willingness to engage in storytelling over time. The MemoryCache transforms memory into action, enabling people to connect across distance and time through tangible storytelling.
Keywords: Bereavement, Storytelling, Personal Informatics, Social Connection, Tangible Interaction, Holography, Design for Wellbeing