What Is the Etiquette of Sharing Information About the Death of a Loved One on Social Media?

Before sharing information about the death of a loved one on social media, it is generally advisable to think about how sharing this information will impact the family and friends of the person who died. Another key consideration is whether sharing this news online is authentic to the preferences and values of the person who died. If they were generally a private individual, it is helpful to consider whether they would have wanted information about their death shared online. 

First and foremost, you should also consider whether family and friends have already been notified about the death and if sharing information about the death will violate their privacy preferences. A common best practice is to wait for a close family member to announce on social media first. Aiming to approach the situation with empathy and respect generally ensures that sharing news regarding the death of a loved one is navigated with a tone of grace and compassion rather than impulsivity.

Rather than posting condolences online, it is also advisable to send condolences privately shortly after the death has occurred. Allow the family to process their grief and inform other people of their loss within their own time, rather than posting this information independently without their approval. Ideally, asking for consent to share a post about the person who died is the most appropriate course of action; if you do not receive a reply or explicit consent, you should not share the news. In an effort to protect the privacy of those who knew the person who died, posts regarding the death should not include any explicit, personal, or sensitive information.

It is important to be mindful that the Internet and social media contain plenty of misinformation, even in regard to the death of a loved one. Before posting, first consider if and why the information needs to be shared publicly. When you do share, aim to only post details that have been confirmed, especially anything regarding the circumstances of the death. For example, sharing information that a loved one died due to suicide without validating that information first is not appropriate, as rumors often result in incorrect information being spread.

A helpful approach can be to simply share a link to an official obituary rather than rewriting the details yourself. This ensures accuracy and protects privacy. Similarly, it is equally important to consider who has access to the information being posted. It is generally advisable to double-check social media settings to confirm that sensitive or private information is not being shared publicly. Once information is shared, it can be difficult to control who views it and how rapidly it spreads to other individuals online.

Sources

“Death & Social Media: 10 Dos and Don’ts for Social Platforms”. Funeral Basics. https://www.funeralbasics.org/death-social-media-10-dos-and-donts-for-social-platforms/ 

“The Unwritten Rules About Dealing With Death On Social Media”. EverPlans. https://www.everplans.com/articles/the-unwritten-rules-about-dealing-with-death-on-social-media