

Many of you know that my father was struggling with cancer.You might also consider linking to the obituary if it’s available. Focus on sharing positive memories and giving others an opportunity to share theirs.

Also, try not to share too many details about the death (unless you want to). A favorite photo of your loved one (an individual photo, not a group)Īs you consider what information to include, be mindful of your word choice.Any information about memorial donations.Time and location of any services: memorial, funeral, graveside, visitation/viewing, and/or reception/gathering (make sure to specify whether these events are public or private).Name of the deceased and relationship to you (the person posting).The format depends on your personality, but there are a few key pieces of information to include. Just remember that you can make the post formal or casual, personal and sentimental or to the point. What to include in a social media death announcement postįinding the right words may feel a little overwhelming, and that’s okay.

When you post, you may want to include an obituary or memorial page to allow people to offer condolences and share memories freely. Consider all of the people who may read your post and be prepared to receive responses from them. Remember that social platforms are a public spaceĪs with any online posts or comments, don’t write anything you don’t want everyone to read. I’m so sorry that you will hear the news this way, but our family wants to make sure everyone hears before the funeral.” 4. Here’s an example: “Family and friends, it is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of a very special person. So, it’s always good to add a bit of an introduction to your post so that people know you have sad news to share.

With social media, people can read posts anytime throughout the day. The wait will give you time to set the service details, contact people in person or over the phone, and personally process some of your own initial feelings of grief. That said, it’s best to wait a day or two before you put anything online. Additionally, you will be contacting any close family and friends with the news. The first 24 hours after the loss of a loved one is often a period of shock and activity with planning for any funeral or memorial services. You certainly don’t want people close to the deceased person to find out about their death online – that would make a difficult situation even harder. Make sure you notify close family and friends in a more personal way first, such as in-person, with a phone call, or via private message (depending on the circumstances). Let’s review a few tips for announcing a loved one’s death online. More than likely, you are already dealing with a wide range of emotions, and it’s much less draining to post once than to attempt to talk to each person individually.Įven so, death is a sensitive topic and should handled with care and tact. Additionally, posting online creates a place for people to mourn, share memories, and express condolences while also keeping things simple for you. You may not know every person your loved one had a relationship with, so making an announcement online is an efficient way to reach people. Social media allows us to communicate rapidly and widely. But announcing the death on social media, through an obituary, or in a newspaper is a necessary step. It forces you to acknowledge that someone you love has died, and in many ways, there’s just no way to put what you feel into words. Announcing the death of a loved one is an incredibly difficult task.
