Grieving the loss of a loved one is an emotional and difficult process, made even more so now during the digital age. With the prevalence of social media in our lives, dealing with the loss of a loved one can be even more challenging to navigate. Similarly, it’s essential to know the proper etiquette of grieving so that you don’t inadvertently offend anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.
It’s important to remember that grieving etiquette isn’t necessarily “one size fits all.” You should always do what you think is best for you and the person experiencing grief. Just lead with your heart and be as genuine as possible, and you’ll be golden! With that said, here are some tips to help guide your social media usage while grieving online:
· Wait to Post. If you aren’t an
immediate family member or close friend, you should wait to post or announce
the death of a loved one. This can be deeply offending, overwhelm those going
through loss, and look like you’re “competing” to announce the news first.
Always wait for the announcement from a family member, then write your post.
· Avoid Too Many Photos.
Avoid bombarding the
feed with too many photos when deciding what to include in your post. Pick a
few meaningful pictures of your loved one, accompanied by a short yet
thoughtful message. Too many photos can be overwhelming and emotional for the
immediate family, who are already processing the loss in their own way.
· It’s Never Too Late. The timing of the feed
is unpredictable, and you might see an announcement of the death days or even
weeks after it has happened. Many people are unsure whether to comment on a
post sending their condolences. Our answer: why not? The person grieving is
likely to see it later and feel heartened by your love and well wishes, no
matter when the message comes. It’s a wonderful way
to connect without stepping over too many boundaries. Just keep your message
short, simple, and sweet.
· Get Funeral
Information. Instead of reaching out for funeral information, wait for a
post on Facebook or Instagram announcing the date, time, and location of
service. People are very likely to post this
information online to reach a broad audience of people who may be interested
without having to reach out individually to absolutely everyone. Remember, the
family is likely distraught during this time—taking the burden off them of
having to repeat this conversation several times is a caring gesture on your
part.
· Make Personal Contact. After posting or leaving a comment online, remember to connect offline and make personal contact with the bereaved. A handwritten note, an email, or a voicemail message are all great ways to personally reach out without overstepping. If you’re especially close to the bereaved, consider making a phone call, or see if there is anything you can do to help the family, like bringing them meals or groceries.
Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. We will do whatever it takes to make our positive environment translate to your experience with us.
Adolf Funeral Home has served the Berwyn and
Willowbrook areas for several years. We pride ourselves on being large enough
to provide professionalism and reliability yet
small enough to provide personalized service. To
discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.
Sources:
https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2020/08/21/grief-digital-age-etiquette/
https://ehospice.com/canada_english_posts/how-grief-is-evolving-in-the-digital-age/
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