grief on the island

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have flocked to Animal Crossing New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch to escape to their personal island paradise. For players across the globe, myself included, this virtual paradise serves as a mental escape or virtual happy place that can also be used to self-care or remember loved ones. Animal Crossing players are using the open-ended design of the game to create beautiful gardens, altars, or memorial areas for their loved ones, pets, celebrities, or memories.

Online Community:
Reddit, an online forum, has blossomed with various memorial areas and taking it a step further – has helped foster a sense of community for those mourning. At the beginning of the pandemic, many were unable to attend funerals of loved ones or were unable to say goodbye. In the virtual world of Animal Crossing, one such member was able to create a beautiful seaside memorial where they can visit and honor their loved one. Various users have shared their digitally crafted areas online, creating a collective support network for those grieving.

In Game Options:
One of the many craftable decorations in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a western-style stone that can be used as a tombstone.  There are also various sites that allow you to create a QR code of an image so you can display a picture of your loved one on your island.   Other memorial options include creating a memorial garden of favorite flowers to water daily, recreating childhood homes, or creating an altar. In various cultures it can look like an ofrenda or ancestral veneration.

Grief Rituals:
In mourning – whether it’s a loved one, a relationship, pet, celebrity, etc – it’s important to find a routine or ritual that allows us to fully grieve. This can look like visiting a place that reminds you of the person or thing you are mourning, making a specific dish, listening to a song, etc. The pandemic has limited these options for many, so Animal Crossing provides a virtual world where players are given the opportunity to find a daily routine filled with small positive actions and it encourages players to return to the game daily – even for just a little bit – to maintain this routine.