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I have read receipts from my WhatsApp to my dead relative.

96 replies

SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 12:29

I have searched online, and cannot find the answer. Maybe somebody can explain this in a none supernatural, and logical way. My parent died over a year ago, their phone is deactivated, doesn't exist anymore, network informed, it is all completely shut down.
WhatsApp expired where my parent's picture disappeared, as it does when the account goes. I have our WhatsApp chain still on my phone, my parent's phone number ia still in my contacts. I'm not sure I'll ever be ready to delete this.

I often send my parent messages, updating them about my life, and expressing my feelings. It sounds absolutely crazy! I know my parent is gone in every way, doesn't exist anymore. I don't believe in ghosts, heaven and believe that there is nothing after death. I send these messages because it helps me. There is obviously now always just one grey tick because these messages will never ever be delivered, or read.

Well today I clicked on info, which I haven't done before. All of the messages have 2 grey ticks for delivered with a little line under where the time usually is, and 2 blue ticks for read with a little line underneath where the time would be as well. On the outside, it has the usual one grey tick as you would expect.

Why is this occurring?

OP posts:
SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 14:33

SwedishEdith · 22/03/2025 14:27

The people who block are probably doing the right thing even though it must feel quite brutal. Imagine finding out a stranger was just reading your messages? Could be a plot for a novel.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MadeMeSmile/comments/eat4ik/awomankepttextingherdeadfatherupdateson/

Not sure if this link will work, but dh just showed me this case, what a lovely reply from the new owner of the number.

OP posts:
AnxiousOCDMum · 22/03/2025 14:35

SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 12:33

They aren't supposed to give dead people's numbers out again, but I bet it does happen. Does this mean who ever has my parent's number (if it has been reallocated) would get my messages? I have no idea, but I need to know why this is happening.

They do give them out. I kept all my dads messages and one day his what’s app profle
Pic changed - someone else has his number :(

kittensinthekitchen · 22/03/2025 14:42

LookingAtMyBhunas · 22/03/2025 13:45

Oh OP it's so hard isn't it.

My best friend died last year of a brian tumour. I'm the same as you - no belief in any afterlife, yet I also would message her little updates or just and I love you and miss you message.
About a month ago they stopped delivering. I looked at all our mutual group chats and it said Lou Left. That was brutal.
But it was just because her WhatsApp had now been disconnected as bill not paid.
It must be very confronting to see them being delivered, I'd feel exactly the same.
I do think it's a bit mean of the new owner of the number to just ignore and block you personally, but that's just me.

My teenage daughter lost her best friend in a tragic accident a few years ago. She still regularly reads their snapchat thread.

Under the 'friendship' part of their chat, it says something about how it's been years since they talked and how it's never too late to reach out to someone you love 😭😭

SwedishEdith · 22/03/2025 14:44

SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 14:33

https://www.reddit.com/r/MadeMeSmile/comments/eat4ik/awomankepttextingherdeadfatherupdateson/

Not sure if this link will work, but dh just showed me this case, what a lovely reply from the new owner of the number.

Edited

Hmm, I'm not sure. a) if it's true and b) how I'd feel knowing someone had been reading my innermost thoughts for four years. If it's true, she surely couldn't have carried on messaging her "dad" anymore.

GuineaPigPosie · 22/03/2025 15:24

My grandad passed in 2017 but when he was alive he had a very basic phone and he could press a button to send a text to my gran, my dad and my aunt that basically just said "need help". After he passed they gave the phone to charity and I guess the number either went with or was reallocated.

On the anniversary of his death a few years later, they all got a "need help" text. My dad tried calling the number and it was picked up but the person didn't speak English/was a child (can't remember). It was so weird and obviously just a coincidence but it was quite harrowing.

I'm so sorry for your loss, OP. Sending loads of love. Hope your mind is put at rest now ❤️

mumda · 22/03/2025 15:28

There's a film on Netflix based on this

Love Again

Marble10 · 22/03/2025 15:35

Possible someone does have the number and they have blocked you from calling after receiving such messages.

BurgundyZero · 22/03/2025 15:46

I had a very sad text message a little while after I got a new SIM, along the lines of "Darling it's been three years. I can't bear it. It never gets any easier waking up without you" (but including names)

I let her know the number had been recycled and she thanked me after a few days. I hope she wasn't too freaked out to see she'd received a message from "him." Poor lady.

ICanTellYouMissMe · 22/03/2025 15:48

SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 12:33

They aren't supposed to give dead people's numbers out again, but I bet it does happen. Does this mean who ever has my parent's number (if it has been reallocated) would get my messages? I have no idea, but I need to know why this is happening.

My friends number was reassigned about a year after he died I think, it does happen. It’s very jarring if you’re still sending messages (and I understand why you have wanted to do it).

Elderflower14 · 22/03/2025 15:51

My late DPs number was reused.. I got quite a shock when I saw a ladies picture next to his number on WA.. 💔 💔

Specter17 · 22/03/2025 16:01

SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 12:36

When I ring the number it comes up with "number not valid", dead dialling tone?

watsapp can still be used on a pc or laptop etc did you ring via wattsapp itself ? because to get the blue ticks then someone is reading the messages

VictoriaEra · 22/03/2025 16:53

Thank you for posting this. Sorry I cannot help with the question but I do the same as you in texting someone no longer here. I feel better knowing I'm not being too weird.

ThisZanyPinkSquid · 22/03/2025 18:25

The number will have been regurgitated and given to someone else.

RoxyRoo2011 · 22/03/2025 18:27

If there is no time next to delivered or read, it means they haven’t been. Nothing supernatural going on.

JillAndJenTheFlowerpotMen · 22/03/2025 18:30

SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 12:33

They aren't supposed to give dead people's numbers out again, but I bet it does happen. Does this mean who ever has my parent's number (if it has been reallocated) would get my messages? I have no idea, but I need to know why this is happening.

Not true. They reallocate unused numbers.

Emmz1510 · 22/03/2025 18:46

I have no answer to your issue I just wanted to comment because your post resonated with me. My mum passed away just a month ago and I also send her WhatsApp messages. I don’t know why. I know I won’t get a response. I guess that yearning for them doesn’t go away any time soon. I keep reading and re reading her old messages and I think I’ll keep them forever.
Im so sorry for your loss. This sucks.

Teanbiscuits33 · 22/03/2025 18:53

SomethingMorethanthis · 22/03/2025 12:43

@WeeOrcadian

That’s just showing you what the ticks would look like if the messages were delivered or read, not that they have been. If I click on any message on my WhatsApp threads, the same thing shows up. It’s for user information. It doesn’t signify anything.

Ilovecakey · 22/03/2025 18:53

Serencwtch · 22/03/2025 12:39

Yes of course they re-use numbers. They would have run out of numbers by now if they didn't! They are re-used quite quickly - within a few months.

I had someone contact me obsessively sending texts, voicemails & whatsapps to her dead relative.I informed her that the number was mine & blocked her but she kept finding new numbers to call from. I had to report her to police in the end.

Omg what was she saying? That's quite sad though

Teanbiscuits33 · 22/03/2025 18:56

Because they haven’t been delivered or read, there are no time stamps next to the relevant ticks, it’s normal and it’s just for user information.

LookingAtMyBhunas · 22/03/2025 19:12

kittensinthekitchen · 22/03/2025 14:42

My teenage daughter lost her best friend in a tragic accident a few years ago. She still regularly reads their snapchat thread.

Under the 'friendship' part of their chat, it says something about how it's been years since they talked and how it's never too late to reach out to someone you love 😭😭

Fucking snapchat

PositiveChanges4Lent · 22/03/2025 19:16

I had a similar thing happen to me.

i got a new phone and sim with sky, and after a week I started receiving abusive messages from a teenager claiming I was using her dead fathers phone. I spoke to the mum and explained the situation, the father had died 6 months prior.

Apparently the number can be re allocated after 12 weeks I think though I might be misremembering although I do remember that I was shocked that it was such a sort time period.

Sorry for your loss. Can you call the number and see if it now rings?

FrodoBiggins · 22/03/2025 19:19

Sorry for your loss OP.
If you haven't already, good idea to back up your WhatsApp conversations with your lost loved ones. I still have my late dad on my WhatsApp and sometimes reread our chats out of nostalgia or sometimes it's useful for something practical or comes up when I'm searching for something and gives me a giggle (e.g. his strong views on the 2018 England squad). I have them all backed up & downloaded just in case of accidental deletion / WhatsApp error.

It does get easier, I promise. And it's so lovely that you loved them (and them you) so much that you still want to share news with them. Lots of love.

Daffodilpup · 22/03/2025 19:22

Off to check WhatsApp for a different profile pic. 😢. How awful to see that and not be ready for it.

Awakeatnite · 22/03/2025 19:26

Well her WhatsApp may have been hacked

Myonlysunshine123 · 22/03/2025 19:27

We had this less than 12 months after my mother in law died. There was a new picture on WhatsApp . They definitely do give the numbers out again. It can be quiet a shock