For bereaved families, posting on socials raises big questions

Social media has become an essential part of our lives and deaths. Deciding whether to post online about the passing of a loved one and, if so, how is a personal choice that depends on many factors. There are no right or wrong answers. These are just personal considerations. Here are a few to go over when making your decision:

1. Personal Comfort: Are you comfortable sharing this information publicly?

   It's important to do what feels right for you and not feel pressured either way.

2. Privacy: Consider the privacy of the deceased and other family members. Some might prefer to keep such matters private.

3. Support Network: Sharing online can be a way to receive support and condolences from friends and family who might not be reachable otherwise.

4. Announcement: Sometimes, posting online can efficiently inform a wider circle of people about the passing and any arrangements.

5. Emotional Impact: Reflect on how you might feel about the responses you receive. Some comments might be comforting, while others might be overwhelming or even unintentionally hurtful.

6. Timing: Before making any public announcement, ensure you have had time to process the news and that close family members are informed.

If you’ve concluded you’d like to make a public announcement on social media, it should be done respectfully and thoughtfully. Here are some suggestions on how to go about it:

1. Be Respectful and Sensitive: Ensure your message is respectful and considerate of the deceased and their family.

2. Simple and Clear: Keep the announcement simple and clear. Provide essential details without overwhelming information.

3. Include Key Information such as:

   1. The name of the deceased

   2. Date of passing

   3. Brief mention of their significance to you or others

   4. Details about the funeral or memorial service, if applicable

4. Pick Your Socials Carefully: Meta – the parent company for Facebook and Instagram – has decided to lock the accounts of users who die, turning them into memorial walls. If you want to keep those accounts open, you might not want to post news of a person’s death over those social media accounts

5. Personal Touch: Share a memory or a few words about the person's impact on your life. This adds a personal touch to the announcement.

6. Privacy Settings: Consider adjusting the post's privacy settings to control who can see it, especially if you want to keep the information within a specific group of people.

7. Invite Support: Let people know how they can support you or the family during this time, whether through attending the service, sending flowers, or offering condolences.

8. Include a Photo: A tasteful photo of the deceased can make the announcement more personal and touching.

9. Follow-Up: Be prepared to respond to messages of condolences, either publicly or privately. You might want to designate someone to help you manage responses if you feel overwhelmed.

Unfortunately, many families only realize they don’t have access to their loved ones' socials until after they pass. Without securing a proper transfer of information, they are at risk of being locked out of accounts and unable to use their platforms to inform their community about their loss. In addition, they risk losing the deceased’s digital legacy. WiziWill has made it a mission to prevent such a predicament. Our application was built to ensure that, in the event of your or your significant other’s passing, the social accounts and information you choose to inherit are concentrated in a ‘digital safe’ and are accessible from one online location.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to announce the death of a loved one on social media is deeply personal and should be based on what feels right.

Preparing for that day can significantly reduce the emotional toll on those we leave behind.