Social media has changed the way we communicate forever, but it still poses some difficult questions surrounding the etiquette of what you post and when. This is particularly difficult in sad circumstances after you’ve lost a loved one. Deciding whether or not to share information about their passing and funeral services online can be trying—before you do, consider the questions below.

3 Aspects to Consider Before Sharing Sad News on Social Media

1. Will Traditional Channels Be Better?

If your loved one was an avid social media user who stayed connected, a social media announcement may be necessary to reach the people they interacted with mainly online.

However, if your loved one wasn’t on social media and most of their friends weren’t either, traditional channels like phone calls and a newspaper obituary may be a better way of breaking the news.

2. Who Should I Call First?

If you’ve decided that a social media announcement is needed, make sure all family members and close friends have been notified first. No one wants to learn about the death of a friend or family member while casually browsing through their social media feed.

Before announcing the death publicly via social media channels, wait a few days so you have time to contact everyone close to the deceased by phone.

3. What Should I Write?

In general, the rules for writing an obituary apply to any social media posts. Keep the post simple, with the deceased’s name, when they passed, and any details about a memorial or funeral service.

You can also include a photo of the deceased. Keep in mind that some social media platforms are public unless you’ve made your account private, so keep that in consideration if you’re sharing details about the service or the deceased.

For a compassionate, caring approach to funeral services, turn to Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home. For over a century, they’ve helped families in Harpers Ferry, WV, with funeral planning, burial, cremation, and funeral services. They understand the challenge of grief and strive to make the planning process as simple as possible for you. Learn more about pre-planning funeral services by calling (304) 724-6500 or visiting their website.