NEW YORK -- There are dozens of websites for virtual memorials for loved ones who have passed. Some are simple, where you upload a picture or two and post them alongside a brief written history about the deceased person.

Others are much more sophisticated and allow video, music, links for donating to a charity in that person's name, a virtual guestbook for visitors to sign; and some, like CherishedLives.com even try to recreate the actual experience of visiting a cemetery, complete with a drive to the plot, tombstones that are depicted with real-time weather, even a gift shop for family and friends to buy virtual flowers to place on the grave, flowers that decompose and eventually disappear over a two-week period.

But all serve the same purpose. They're a 21st century way of creating a memorial for absolutely anyone to see and be a part of whenever they'd like, wherever they happen to be.

“Unfortunately, as time goes on people go less and less to the cemeteries,” says Frank Pittelli of CherishedLives.com. “I've spoken to people who haven't been to their father's, mother's resting place for 10, 12 years. But this is something they can always keep with them and share with other people and just come when they want and relive the memories they want.”

Real world funeral homes are also offering online memorials, which they say not only help with remembering but also help with the whole healing process.

Dignity Memorial Providers, which has a network of 2,000 funeral homes and cemeteries, not only has its MEM website, Making Everlasting Memories for virtual memorials, but it even takes those memories back offline and creates photo books and DVDs for families.

“It won't replace the traditional morays of the funeral – people still come together – but now they’re coming together and they’re able to have those remembrances and share them with people,” says Kevin Mack of Thomas M. Quinn Funeral Home. “It's very medicinal for people to go through and at the same time it’s cathartic. It enables them to go through the memories and it allows them to be able to express their feelings about their loved one, whereas very possibly in the past that wasn't done.”

If you're interested in setting up a virtual memorial, there are some things to consider before choosing a site.

1. How simple is it for you to add photos and videos and whatever you'd like to make it the exact memorial you have in mind?

2. How much input does it allow visitors to have? Some allow just a message post, others let guests add their own photos.

3. Cost: How much will you spend to keep the memorial online year after year?