Sharing Obituary Online Template.

Reasons for Sharing an Obituary Online

Sharing the news of a loved one's passing online has become increasingly common in our digital age. An online obituary allows you to quickly notify a widespread network of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances all at once. It provides key details about your loved one's life and the upcoming memorial service in one central place.

Beyond disseminating information, an online obituary is also a way to initiate the grieving process collectively. Friends and family near and far can express condolences, share memories, and begin processing the loss together through comments and messages.

Crafting a thoughtful online obituary that captures the essence of your loved one can be deeply therapeutic. It's a way to celebrate their life's journey and recognize the positive impact they had.

Essential Information to Include

While the length and tone will vary, most effective online obituary posts include certain key details:

• Full name of the deceased (including maiden name for married individuals)
• Date of birth and date of passing
• Location of their residence at the time of passing
• Key biographical details like career, military service, achievements, etc.
• Survived by list (spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.)
• Any scheduled memorial events, funeral services, or celebrations of life and how to RSVP
• Charity/donation preferences if applicable
• A brief, thoughtful quote or memory capturing their spirit
• High quality photo(s) of the deceased

The goal is to paint a well-rounded yet concise picture of who they were and what they meant to others. This informs while also facilitating connection through shared remembrances.

Sample Online Obituary Post Templates

When grappling with profound loss, constructing an obituary from scratch can feel overwhelming. Having straightforward templates to work from can help simplify the process.

Here are two examples capturing the essential details in a clear, compassionate tone:

Sample 1: "It is with great sadness that we share the passing of [Full Name] on [Date] at the age of [XX]. A beloved [relation/occupation], [he/she] is deeply missed by [survived by list].

[Bio details: persevered through hardship / achieved great success / dedicated volunteer, etc.]. Services will be held on [date/time] at [location]. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to [charity]."

Sample 2: "[Full Name] left this world on [date of passing] at [XX] years old. Although our hearts are heavy, we cherish the memories of [his/her] bright spirit, unwavering kindness, and infectious laughter.

[He/She] spent [XX] years as a [occupation] at [company/highlight]. [Prestigious achievement/award]. [He/She] is survived by [family members].

A celebration of [his/her] beautiful life will be held [date/time/location]. Please share your favorite stories and photos as we honor [his/her] legacy."

These templates provide a compassionate yet concise starting point you can customize to capture your loved one's unique essence.

Online Obituary Etiquette for Social Media

When posting sensitive news like a death on social platforms, it's important to follow proper etiquette:

• Clearly label the post as an "Obituary" or "Passing of" in the title/caption so the content is not unexpected

• Adjust privacy/audience settings as needed if making the post public feels too overwhelming initially

• For Facebook, utilize the "Life Event" feature which has an option to share an obituary story

• Share factual details only; social media is not the place for graphic details or controversial opinions

• Disable comment/reaction emojis on the initial post to maintain solemnity and reduce risk of distress

• Share ongoing memories, photos, and tributes in comment threads rather than in separate posts

The goal is to share the news sensitively while opening a constructive online space to begin grieving as a community.

Online vs Print Obituary - Key Differences

While online and traditional print obituaries share some core similarities, there are notable differences:

Online Obituary

• Reaches a global audience instantly
• Allows for ongoing comments, tributes, and dialogue
• Can include multimedia like videos and photo albums
• Feels more personal and informal in tone
• Free or low-cost to share on social media

Print Newspaper Obituary

• Limited to local readership of the publication
• Static, one-time informational listing
• Follows strict formatting and word count rules
• More formal and biographical in nature
• Can be costly, especially for longer entries

Many families nowadays opt to share a comprehensive online obituary first, while also placing a shorter, paid obituary in the local paper a loved one was affiliated with. This creates a lasting record while harnessing the internet's connective power.

Step-by-Step Guide: Sharing on Popular Platforms

Ready to thoughtfully share your loved one's passing online? Follow these step-by-step guides for the most common platforms:

Facebook

1. From your personal timeline, click "Life Event"
2. Select "Obituary or Sad News"
3. Enter key details like name, dates, bio
4. Add photos
5. Adjust privacy and audience settings
6. Click "Share" to post

Instagram

1. Create a new post and upload a photo
2. Write a clear, respectful caption with key details
3. Use relevant hashtags like #RIP, #InMemoriamOf
4. Tag location if applicable
5. Adjust post settings if needed
6. Click "Share"

Twitter

1. Begin the tweet with "Obituary" to set context
2. Share key details concisely with full name and dates
3. You may need to create an image to attach for more details
4. Use hashtags like #Obituary, #RememberingTheirName
5. Pin the tweet to the top of your profile
6. Click "Tweet"

Following these basic steps for each major platform ensures your online obituary is shared sensitively and accessibly with your communities online.

When to Share vs Wait for the Full Obituary

In this age of instant updates, loved ones may feel pressure to share details of a passing online immediately. However, some situations merit pausing before posting an official online obituary:

• If important family/friends have not been notified privately first
• When key details like funeral arrangements are still pending
• If you have not had time to properly process and grieve yourself

In these cases, a simple social post acknowledging the loss with minimal specifics can help get the word out temporarily:

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my [relation]. More details will follow once arrangements have been made."

Taking that breath to ensure an online obituary is comprehensive and respectful is often wise. Working from provided templates can then make the process easier.

However, in situations where time is of the essence to notify far-flung contacts quickly, a basic online obituary with available details can be sensible to post sooner.

Thoughtfulness and self-care during grief should dictate the timing. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Wrapping Up - Being Thoughtful Online

Sharing the passing of a loved one through an online obituary requires care and sensitivity. By being thoughtful in your approach, you can celebrate their memory while also bringing your communities together for healing.

Remember to craft the online obituary with key biographical details, memorable anecdotes, and logistics for memorial events. Follow proper etiquette by adjusting settings and allowing for comments at your comfort level.

Most importantly, don't feel pressured to share online before you've had space to process the loss personally. An online obituary can wait until you're emotionally ready.

By approaching this act with wisdom and heart, you can honor your loved one's legacy in a meaningful way.