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Dead man's switch or a trusted person: who should release your message?

A dead man's switch assumes you have died when you stop answering. A trusted person acts on purpose. Here is the difference, and why it matters for a recording your family will hear.

The idea of a dead man's switch

It checks on you every so often by email or text. If you do not respond in time, it assumes you have died and sends your messages.

What can go wrong

• A false alarm. A new email address, a lost phone, a month in the hospital or a trip with no signal can look like silence.
• It cannot be undone. A private message that has been delivered cannot be taken back.

Why a person is a better fit for a funeral video

A recording meant for a funeral or a will reading is something your family hears at a hard moment, so a mistake would be painful. With Play At My Funeral, nothing happens because you went quiet. Your Playbearer has to report your passing, and your backup confirms it. Then we ask you whether you are still here, and you or anyone you chose can stop it for 48 hours. Only if no one does, each person you chose is emailed their private link.

Choose the person carefully

Pick someone reliable and calm who will be reachable when the time comes. Tell them. Keep their contact details up to date, and name a backup so it never gets stuck.

See how posthumous message services compare, and how to leave a message to be played after you die.