When a family member passes, obituaries are a time-honored way to impart the somber news and honor your loved one. With more ways to share information than ever before, here’s why you may want to create a digital obituary as part of funeral planning and services.

What Is a Digital Obituary?

Today, most newspapers publish content in print and online simultaneously. Unless family members decide not to publish, a digital obituary is almost certain to exist. It’s usually identical to the printed version but may also include links for service information and donations.

Funeral homes often help compose the article. It may vary in length from a few lines to several paragraphs. By design, obituaries largely avoid sentiment, relying on facts about the deceased’s life and their connections to loved ones.

What Should You Consider for Digital Obituaries?

During funeral planning, family and friends are likely to begin sharing information—often across social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter. It’s critical to consider the content and impact of online obituaries and related posts.

When composing an obituary for digital sharing, it’s a good idea to stick to the same general content as a printed announcement. Digital items persist indefinitely, so emotional content may begin to feel uncomfortable or inappropriate later.

If you choose to share personal thoughts online, carefully choose who can view them. Finally, try to ensure close friends and family don’t discover the passing through an unexpected post.

What Are the Advantages of a Digital Obituary?

Digital obituaries benefit both loved ones and distant mourners. Because content is easily shared, family and friends can exchange information and condolences immediately and personally. A virtual community can form where loved ones connect, grieve, and celebrate the life of the departed.

Digital obituaries are also published on the funeral home’s website as part of funeral planning and services. It’s a powerful opportunity for visitors to leave thoughts, memories, and comments in an online guestbook that’s carefully moderated.

Finally, digital obituaries give loved ones greater control over content and costs. Printed announcements are priced by the space they occupy and may be expensive. Digital print space is usually unlimited and free. The family also has more control over publishing dates, editing, and design elements. That means greater comfort at a difficult time.

From funeral planning to administering personal affairs, there’s a lot to think about when a loved one passes. The compassionate professionals at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home in Harpers Ferry, WV, are here to help. Their personal approach serves your needs with services, including pre-planning, burial, cremation, flowers, and more. Call (304) 724-6500 for a caring consultation, or visit their website for more information and valuable resources for grieving loved ones.