Dealing with the death of a friend is always a difficult situation to handle, but in the age of social media, understanding how to navigate what to post and when can make it harder. Much like normal funeral services, social media can be a healthy outlet during the grieving process. When you communicate online, try to be aware of how posts can affect a departed’s family members and those closest to them.

Proper Social Media Use & Funerals

Why Social Media Etiquette Is Important

If a family member posts about someone’s passing on social media, it’s a critical time to show your reverence for the departed and your support for their family. The news that a person has passed away can be very traumatic, but connecting appropriately with other people may make it easier to cope. Reflect on whether your post honors your friend, and if your etiquette is respectful enough to the family.

How to Handle Social Media

It’s essential to be attentive to the closest family members’ posts if you think you would like to add one yourself. Try to let those closest to the deceased be the ones to make the original announcement online. They likely have a variety of affairs to get in order for the funeral services and will want to inform close friends and family themselves, so never post anything regarding the passing until they have.

If they haven’t posted about something relating to the person’s passing or the funeral services, then you should not either. The family may feel some information should not be widely known. Be careful to ensure you’re meticulous with your tactful post, so you don’t offend anyone with inaccuracies.

Social media can be a terrific tool for scheduling funeral services because a vast amount of people can know the details immediately. A brief, respectful subsequent message may be fine. You can use your judgment to determine if you can reply directly to the public thread or send them a direct message. If the poster seems to welcome comments and quickly respond, then public support is alright. If they don’t seem responsive, you can wait until the person is ready to interact.

 

 

Someone’s passing is never easy, but Morris Funeral Home in Wayne, WV, provides caring support at their family-owned funeral home. Since  1932, their dedicated, licensed funeral directors have worked with grieving family members to guide them throughout the entire funeral planning process. Learn more by calling (304) 272-5171 or visit them online.