A modern obituary
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
August 13, 2017 4:39am CST
Over the previous weeks I have had several conversations with my brother concerning aspects of mortality. One of these was on the subject of obituaries, which raised a very interesting point.
During my parents’ days it was common practice to post obituaries in the local newspaper in order to ensure that all interested parties were made aware of someone’s death. Nowadays very few people would ever consider reading the obituaries, which rather makes the practice obsolete.
We all have a diverse collection of friends and acquaintances who would like to know, such as ex work colleagues or people in other areas. We spent a little time trying to decide on a more practical approach to spread such news.
The best suggestion that I could think of was to have the announcement posted on the deceased’s Facebook page in order to encompass people from all relevant sectors. For example, I have a few Facebook friends from my home town, a couple of ex work colleagues and even a few Mylot members, who in turn would spread the word.
Does anyone here still read obituaries in the newspaper, or maybe have a more practical suggestion?
15 people like this
16 responses
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
13 Aug 17
They still publish the obituaries in the local newspaper, but I almost never buy a newspaper, usually I learn from my neighbors if someone we know is no more. In my opinion the Facebook pace of the deceased is the best way to reach the most people. They will take care to spread the news. I know you are planning, but please, keep faith to get better.
5 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
13 Aug 17
I feel sad after reading your post.I don't think you have come to the point where you have to think of the obituary.Here few people post obituaries in the local newspaper now.Generally people paste the obituaries on a conspicuous place close to where the deceased lived in or worked at.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Aug 17
@changjiangzhibin89 They could and I look forward to that.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
14 Aug 17
@Asylum Oh,I see.Hold on,things will get better than you know.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
13 Aug 17
I subscribe to a few newspapers online by email notification, news of places I have lived and that is a lot.
I do sometimes read the obits.
But I think your idea of Facebook posting would be far more wide reaching.
3 people like this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
16 Aug 17
When my husband passed on I put it in the local paper and on his Facebook page. Many people delete the Facebook account after awhile and then the notice is gone. An obituary in the newspaper is essential for genealogy. It is there forever. You are a part of a line of people whether you are the last one or not. Many, like me, add all the extended family to their trees, not just direct lines. It's a lasting memorial of your life here, whether it's read today or discovered repeatedly over time in the future.
3 people like this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
16 Aug 17
@Asylum It's really something to consider.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Aug 17
@Asylum Twitter is monopolized in the US buy the current misbegotten occupant of the White House.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
6 Sep 17
Your idea of using Facebook seems to be a good one. We lost several people last year and Facebook was a big help. It seems cold to some, but many we know do not want a typical obituary posted in a newspaper.
If people are close to us, they will know the situation and not be shocked when they get a call, a Facebook message, etc.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
6 Sep 17
Only m neighbour and my brother know offline, so friends, ex workmates and even my neices are unaware of my condition.
If I tell someone face to face that I have cancer they would tend to be uncomfortable and at a loss of what to say. Therefore I have avoided distressing people unnecessarily.
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
13 Aug 17
I have also thought some about that and I also think Facebook is the best plan. I have made sure that someone from each Facebook group I'm in is "friended" so in case anything happens to me (not that I'm expecting it to, but it could) all my important groups would know. My family is already all on Facebook and each major group from my past has several people who have joined. Sorry you have to be thinking about this.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Aug 17
@Asylum I suppose that I would like my FB friends to know, but that does not encompass the many people I worked with and have known for many years. But then, should I care if they even know?
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Aug 17
Interesting that you wrote about this. Here, obits are written by the deceased's family, I think, with a photo of him or her. There are some in weekday papers and sometimes two full pages on Sunday. With yet another birthday around the corner, I have given a little thought to whether I would want one or not. I glance at them to see if I knew the deceased, since I have lived in this city for over forty years.
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
17 Aug 17
I hardly read obituaries in newspapers; in fact, I have ceased subscribing to them.
I get free sheets when I can though.
In another website there was a lady who was quite active with strong views.
And we were shocked to read about her demise when someone else, not a member, posted a note.
I am not that active in Facebook but that is a good platform to reach many to inform about our passing - siva
