In the answers to this question it is noted that when the user dies a lightsaber goes off and that the activation button on a lightsaber may be a safety feature so that it will go off if the user drops it.
There are cases when lightsabers remain on when not in the users hands (e.g., Darth Vader throws his activated lightsaber during his battle with Luke in The Return of the Jedi.), but it isn't clear that the user isn't keeping it on intentionally with the force.
Does a lightsaber have to be kept on intentionally during use (like by holding a button down etc...), and will it automatically go off if the user drops it?
Answers using any level of canon are appropriate but please note the canon level in your answer.