Social media is a great place to share your grief with others who are grieving. It can be a place for you to connect with people who understand the pain you’re going through, and it can also help you process what you’re feeling by writing out your thoughts and feelings online.
However, there are some dos and don’ts that apply specifically when posting about grief on social media:
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Be thoughtful about what you post on social media after experiencing grief or loss. |
| Build a support system to find comfort and healing after a loss. |
| Social media can both help and hinder the grieving process, so it’s important to understand its impact. |
| Supporting children through grief can be challenging, but there are practical tips to help. |
| Social media can be a helpful tool for connecting with others who are also grieving. |
| When attending or posting about funerals on social media, it’s important to be respectful and appropriate. |
| It’s generally best to avoid discussing sensitive or personal topics on social media after experiencing grief or loss. |
Do. Be Transparent
Transparency is key to social media success, and it’s especially important when you’re going through a tough time.
You can’t hide the truth from your followers; they will know if you’re being disingenuous. Don’t be afraid of being vulnerable and sharing your story many people are feeling exactly the same way as you do right now, so let them know that they aren’t alone in their grief by posting about it!
| Dos | Description |
|---|---|
| Be open about your feelings | Share your feelings with your close friends or family. It’s okay to express your emotions. |
| Be truthful | Post any information related to the loss that is true and factual. |
| Be genuine | Show your emotions as they are. Don’t try to fake it because other people will find out. |
| Be respectful | Always consider how your posts may affect others. |
Do. Share The Good Memories
Sharing the good memories you have of the person is an important way to remember them. You can share how much you loved them, how much they will be missed, and how much you will miss them.
You can also talk about how they were an example of someone who did not give up on life.
“No one should have to go through grief alone. Building a support system is crucial in finding comfort and healing after a loss. Our article on how to build a support system after a loss provides valuable tips and advice to help you through this difficult time.” – Finding Strength in Community: How to Build a Support System After a Loss
Do. Be Honest About How You’re Feeling
Do. Be honest about how you’re feeling. Sharing your grief online can be scary, but it’s important to share how you feel in a way that feels true to you—and that means being honest about how you’re really feeling.
If you’re sad and crying all the time, or if you have a hard time sleeping or eating because of the pain of losing someone close to you, then let people know that too! It’s okay to cry and be angry when something like this happens.
Don’t pretend everything is fine if it isn’t. Grief comes in waves, so it’s normal for feelings of sadness or anger to come back up at times even after they seem like they’ve passed away for good (they haven’t).
When these emotions resurface, don’t try to ignore them by pretending everything is fine—instead take care of yourself by expressing those feelings through writing on social media or talking with someone else who understands what happened during those earlier waves (and there will be more).
Do. Limit Your Engagement With Trolls
As the saying goes, “don’t feed the trolls.” If you respond to a troll, it will only encourage them and prompt them to continue posting offensive content.
Here’s what you can do instead:
Change your social media settings so that only people you approve can comment on your posts or photos. You can also delete comments from strangers if they’re inappropriate or upsetting, but try not to let them get under your skin.
Once they’re gone from your account and out of sight, there’s no real reason for it to bother you so much anymore!
Block anyone who is being abusive or disrespectful towards you in any way by going into their profile page and selecting “Block From This Profile” under “Options” at the top of their post (or if they don’t have any posts yet).
“During times of grief, having a support system can make all the difference. Our article on the power of a support system during times of grief explains why it’s important to have a network of people who can offer comfort and understanding when you need it most.” – The Power of a Support System During Times of Grief
Do. Seek Help If You Need It
If you are grieving and need help, seek it out. Talk to friends and family; they might be a good place to start.
A therapist can be helpful, as well. So can a religious leader or grief support group. If you have a strong online community (like Facebook), join the conversations there as well.
Do. Be Structured And Direct
One tip that applies to most posts is being structured and direct. You should have a consistent format, whether it’s a photo or text, and you should use a hashtag that makes it easy for people to search for all of your posts.
You also want to make it clear what you are looking for in responses. If you need help getting through the day, ask someone specific questions like “How do I get out of bed?” or “What can I look forward to today?” Otherwise, if you just need support from others going through something similar, ask “How are you holding up?”
| Dos | Description |
|---|---|
| Use factual language | Avoid using metaphors or euphemisms. Be direct and clear in your communication. |
| Keep it simple | Avoid complicated language or concepts. Keep it simple and easy to understand. |
| Organize your thoughts | Organize your thoughts in a logical way to make it easier for people to follow. |
| Use bullet points | Use bullet points to help people navigate through the information. |
Don’t. Post About It Too Soon
First, don’t post about it too soon. You will regret it later. There is no rush to share your grief with everyone you know on social media you have plenty of time to grieve.
When you do decide to share, make sure that it’s appropriate for the audience you are posting in front of and that the situation is not going to change in a matter of minutes or hours (like an engagement announcement).
When I was at my lowest point after my mother’s death, I did not want anyone writing anything happy or positive because I just couldn’t handle it yet I needed some time by myself before I could start processing things again.
These days I am much more open about talking about my feelings; however, there are still some topics that will make me uncomfortable if brought up casually in a conversation or online post by someone else…and then there are other topics that might be difficult for me but others would probably find helpful (such as mental health).
“Losing a loved one is especially difficult for children, and supporting them through grief can be challenging. Our article on 15 tips for supporting your child through grief and loss provides practical advice for parents on how to help their children navigate the grieving process.” – 15 Tips for Supporting Your Child Through Grief and Loss
Don’t. Put All Of Your Grief In One Place
It can be tempting to pour all your feelings into one place, but this is a bad idea for two reasons. First, it’s not healthy to set aside so many hours of your week just thinking about the thing that’s going on in your head.
You need time outside of social media to process and deal with the pain—time where you’re not surrounded by reminders of what’s happening in your life.
Second, posting about grief all at once will lead people who don’t know you very well (or at all) to think that this is how you always behave on social media: sad-faced and serious all the time!
And if they’ve never seen anything else from you before then they might start feeling uncomfortable around their new friend who is always bummed out about something small or large or both.
Don’t. Think That You Have To Post About It At All
You’re not obligated to post about your grief, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to do so. If you don’t want to talk about the death of someone close to you, that’s absolutely fine. You have every right to keep your feelings private if it would be too difficult for you or upsetting for others.
If, however, social media has been a source of comfort and support during this difficult time (and if posting helps makes things feel less isolating), then by all means do so!
Remember that what works for one person may not work for another—so don’t feel guilty for doing it differently than others in similar situations.
“Social media has changed the way we experience grief and loss, and it’s important to understand the impact it can have. Our article on the impact of social media on grief and loss explores the ways in which social media can both help and hinder the grieving process.” – The Impact of Social Media on Grief and Loss
Don’t. Post Anything You Might Really Regret Later
If you’re angry, if you’re sad, if you’re embarrassed, don’t post it! You’ll look back on this moment and wonder what the hell was wrong with me? Why did I think that was a good idea? How could I have been so thoughtless and selfish?
Don’t make those mistakes now. And don’t create new ones just because of the internet’s ability to give us an immediate sense of community when we need answers most.
We all love social media when they help us know that others are going through the same thing as us but in times like these, it’s more important than ever not to blur lines between our personal lives and our public personas during such sensitive times in order to protect ourselves from hurting other people or ourselves later on down the road
| Don’ts | Description |
|---|---|
| Don’t express extreme emotions | Avoid posting anything that is too emotional or intense. |
| Don’t make accusations | Be careful about posting anything that could be considered as an accusation. |
| Don’t overshare | Avoid sharing too much personal information or details about the loss. |
| Don’t post anything you may regret | Think before you post. If you have any doubts, don’t pos |
Don’t. Expect Too Much From People’s Responses To Your Posts
When you’re grieving, often times the last thing you want to do is interact with other people. You can’t help but feel like everyone else is going about their lives as normal while yours has fallen apart.
But don’t expect too much from people’s responses to your posts especially if they haven’t been very close to you in the past. If someone doesn’t reach out right away, or at all, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t care about what happened or how you feel.
Some people simply don’t know what to say when faced with such an emotional situation; others may think there isn’t anything they can do for you anyway; and some may be too afraid of saying the wrong thing and making things worse.
The best way to handle this situation is by being honest about your feelings (but not complaining too much), expressing gratitude for positive comments or thoughts from friends/family members who really are trying to help during this difficult time (rather than those who aren’t), and keeping communication open so that others know where they stand in terms of support for both yourself and any other loved ones involved in this loss of life or limb (a missing appendage).
“In today’s digital age, it’s important to know how to cope with grief and loss online. Our article on how to cope with grief and loss in the digital age offers practical tips and advice for navigating social media and the internet while grieving.” – How to Cope with Grief and Loss in the Digital Age
Conclusion
Social media is a place where you can express yourself and connect with people who have gone through similar experiences. Use these tips to help you navigate the social media world during times of grief.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about social media and grief, here are some additional resources to check out:
Death & Social Media: 10 Dos and Don’ts for Social Platforms: This article offers practical tips for navigating social media after a loss, including what to post and what to avoid.
Social Media Etiquette & Funerals: 5 Dos & Don’ts: This blog post provides guidance on how to use social media in a respectful and appropriate way when attending or posting about funerals.
FAQs
What should I post on social media after experiencing grief or loss?
It’s important to be thoughtful about what you post on social media after experiencing grief or loss. Consider sharing memories or stories about your loved one, or posting messages of support for others who may be grieving. Avoid posting anything that may be insensitive or hurtful.
How can I support a friend who is grieving on social media?
One way to support a friend who is grieving on social media is to leave a kind comment or message expressing your condolences. You could also share a memory or story about their loved one to show that you are thinking of them. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or trying to fix their grief.
Is it appropriate to post about a funeral on social media?
Posting about a funeral on social media can be a sensitive issue, and it’s important to consider the wishes of the family before posting anything. If the family has not indicated that they are comfortable with social media posts, it may be best to refrain from sharing anything.
How can social media be helpful during the grieving process?
Social media can be a helpful tool for connecting with others who are also grieving, and for sharing memories and stories about your loved one. It can also be a way to find support and comfort from friends and family who may be far away.
Are there any topics that are not appropriate to discuss on social media after experiencing grief or loss?
It’s generally best to avoid discussing sensitive or personal topics on social media after experiencing grief or loss. This includes topics such as financial matters or legal disputes. It’s also important to be respectful of others’ privacy and to avoid sharing information that they may not want made public.
My name is Hellen James. I’m a grief and loss recovery expert who has helped people across the country to move beyond their grief and move forward with their lives.
