If a next-of-kin hasn't posted anything yet, you probably shouldn't either.
When Carla Sofka’s mother died just before Thanksgiving 2017, Sofka didn’t immediately post the news on social media. She was busy planning the funeral, making travel arrangements and getting an obituary ready for the weekly newspaper in her mother’s community.
What makes Sofka’s story ironic is that she has been writing and teaching about the impact of technology on grief and dying for decades. She even coined the term “thanatechnology” in 1997. But in her moment of grief, she never thought to say to the funeral director, “Please don’t post Mom’s obituary on your website until we tell you that we’ve notified the people who need to find out another way.”
“How does one decipher a uniform approach when our society is using technology in so many diverse ways and each one of us has a different approach to our online presence and our digital footprint?” Poskanzer asks.Fortunately, experts like Poskanzer and Sofka have begun answering those questions. While the landscape is still shifting, it’s possible to discern some basic rules of “netiquette.”1. Leave the scoops to CNN and Fox News.
6. Watch out for problems. Unfortunately, online death notices can attract everything from negative comments to fraudulent GoFundMe campaigns allegedly set up to pay for funeral expenses. “As family members and friends, if we see that, we need to contact the family immediately so somebody can contact GoFundMe,” Poskanzer says.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jeffrey Epstein's Death Likely Not Captured by Cameras in FacilityJeffrey Epstein's death was not captured by cameras in the correctional facility.
Read more »
Jeffrey Epstein's Death Likely Not Captured by Cameras and Guards Didn't Check on HimJeffrey Epstein's death was not captured by cameras in the correctional facility.
Read more »
Lending Your Kids To Neighbors Should Not Get Them More Financial AidLending your kids to a neighbor, business partner, postal worker, or a perfect stranger to qualify for college financial aid is a Dickensian scam.
Read more »
Liam Hemsworth Is 'Hurt But Not Surprised' About Miley Cyrus' Fling With Brody Jenner's Ex-WifeLiam Hemsworth Is Reportedly 'Hurt But Not Surprised' About Miley Cyrus' Fling With Brody Jenner's Ex-Wife
Read more »
Nike Adventure Club: Nike has new kids subscription but it's not cheap
Read more »
Jeffrey Epstein's Guards Reportedly Did Not Follow Procedure on the Night He Killed HimselfThe Times reports the jail also transferred Epstein's cellmate, leaving him to be housed alone, just two weeks after he had been taken off suicide watch. That move is in violation of the jail's normal procedure
Read more »