Before the internet, the primary way of sharing an obituary was through the newspaper. Today, there are many different platforms and sources to get the news out. Facebook is a popular choice.
We’ll provide an in-depth walkthrough of posting an obituary on Facebook and give you tips and different methods on how to do it successfully.

Key Takeaways

• Facebook is a good platform for sharing an obituary due to its popularity and benefits, like being free and having a global reach.

• Posting on Facebook is straightforward and easy. There are several different ways to successfully do it.

• To post an obituary on Facebook, the most common way is to copy and paste the text into Facebook. You can also add a link to an external website or upload a video if you have one.

How to Post an Obituary on Facebook

The simplest way to post the obituary is to copy and paste the text of your website link to where your obituary is. The link will display the website name and page.

Making a post is very straightforward, as it’s one of the first options you see as you log in. Simply click the message prompt that states, “What's on Your Mind?” Then, paste in your link.

Another option is to share a photo or video to make the announcement. If you wish to go this route, simply click on the photo/video icon and upload your media.

Once you decide on the format, you’ll have additional options of writing a comment or tagging specific individuals. These two things aren’t required but can help add context and increase the chances your obituary is seen.

Other Ways to Post an Obituary on Facebook

Here are some additional methods for sharing an obituary on Facebook aside from linking to the post.

Enter in the Obituary Manually

If the obituary is not linked to another website, you can type it in manually.

Click on the “What’s on Your Mind” message prompt. In the comment section, simply type the obituary or copy and paste it. A good tip is to draft it in a Word document so it’s easy to spot mistakes you could otherwise miss. From there, just copy the text and paste it into the comment section.

If the obituary is already published on another website, you can copy and paste that text into a Facebook post. If someone else was responsible for writing it, it’s best practice to give them credit.

Beware that Facebook posts have a limit of 8000 words, but most obituaries are short and concise, typically under 450 words.

Post a Screenshot of the Obituary

This method is helpful if the obituary is on another website or if you have it in the form of a document and don't want to upload it. 

If you’re using a Windows computer, go to the website of where the obituary is located. Press and hold the Windows logo button, and tap the PrtScr button. For Mac users, press and hold the Shift, Command, and 4 buttons to take a screenshot.

Be sure your screen is properly zoomed in or out at the appropriate distance. For Windows, holding the control button while scrolling the mouse wheel will allow you to adjust it accordingly. Mac users will press and hold Options + Command + 8 key.

Why Should You Share an Obituary on Facebook?

Posting an obituary on Facebook has many benefits. As a major social media platform, it has the ability to reach many people, sometimes even more than the newspaper can. 

Informing Friends and Family

The main reason to post an obituary on Facebook is because of its ability to reach out to friends and family easily. 

Informing people who knew the deceased well should be a priority. Making it public can also increase the chances of getting time off for the funeral service.

People in your friend group on your Facebook account will most likely see your post. Facebook’s default features have it set so posts made within the friend group are ranked as a higher priority and are more likely to be seen.

No Cost

Facebook is entirely free. There are no sign-up costs, hidden fees, or any kind of subscription involved to use it and all its features.

Other methods of sending out an obituary typically require more time, effort and money. 

Using Facebook is much more cost-effective, plus it’s easier and more efficient in getting the message out faster.

Ease of Use

Facebook is one of the more user-friendly social media sites since it’s designed to be used by a wide variety of audiences.

The simple layout makes it easily approachable to most people. Finding the newsfeed is easy, as it is conveniently placed in the center of the screen. Navigating is straightforward, too. All it involves is simple up-and-down scrolling. 

Facebook also uses a button layout that’s easy to identify by having it on the side, clearly labeled, and with icons that make it easily identifiable.

Facebook also offers a variety of security features to make it one of the safest social media sites to use.

Time to Publish

Publishing a post on Facebook is fast and easy, thanks to its simple and streamlined user interface.

A major benefit to using Facebook to share your obituary is that it becomes visible to the public when you click “post.” You will likely begin to get reactions and comments within minutes or even seconds after it has been made.

Global Reach

As of 2023, Facebook has a total of 3.03 billion users. Roughly 37 percent of the world's population uses Facebook.

However, your obituary will likely be viewed primarily by people you are friends with since Facebook prioritizes people’s friend group posts over strangers. 

The best way to make a post viral is for it to be shared within your friend group. If your goal is for your obituary to be seen, encourage your friends and family to share the post so their friends will share it and begin a chain reaction.

You can also seek out Facebook pages that cater to sharing local news and announcements to get the word out.

Expert Digital Marketer at 408 Media Group, Darren Graham, advises:

“Make use of relevant Facebook groups or community pages that

focus on obituaries, local news or memorial events. By sharing your post

in these spaces, you can reach a wider audience who may be interested in

attending or offering condolences.”

Tips for Sharing an Obituary On Facebook

Follow these tips to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Proofread Before Posting

It’s important to proofread your obituary before posting it on Facebook.

A good tip for ensuring it’s well-edited is to write it (or copy and paste the text) onto a Word document that supports spell-check. Microsoft, Word, and Google Documents offer this functionality.

Another suggestion is to run the post by a family member or a close friend. Reading it out loud can help you spot any errors that need to be corrected. However, if you spot a mistake, there is an option to edit the post.

Include Event Details

The obituary should contain important details providing information about the deceased person and when and where the funeral will be held.

Include the following: 

• Funeral date & time 

• Funeral location & address

• Funeral format & dress code if necessary 

• Any other necessary details

Marc Bisson, Managing Director at Catholic Cemeteries, advises:

“Some main points to include are a descriptive word for how they passed

(i.e., tragically, suddenly, at home, etc.); who they are survived by; who

they are predeceased by; where they grew up, worked and lived prior to

passing, any accomplishments or notable details of their life, and details

of any funeral, memorial, legacy gifts or donations being accepted.”

Examples of an Obituary On Facebook

The examples below show how a Facebook obituary is structured and organized.

Example One

“In loving memory of Mark Smith.

Today, we sadly announce the passing of Mark Smith, who left us on this day, 08/27/21, at Saint Lutheran Hospital, surrounded by his beloved family at 34 years old. He was a loving husband and father of two daughters. He touched the lives of everyone else around him through his upbeat attitude.

Mark Was born in Nevada on 01/28/1987 and lived a life of adventure and opportunities, all of which he appreciated to the fullest extent.

Please join us for a funeral service at Lakewood Church of Christ, located in Lakewood, Colorado, at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday.”

Example 2

It is with great sadness that the Alberston family announces the passing of Sasha Alberston. Our beloved daughter passed away on 02/13/2022 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital and was with her family when it happened. She was 22 years old and born on 02/07/2022 in Oregon City.

She lived an amazing life. She had many friends, traveled to many places, and was an honor student at the Univerity of Oregon.

Join us for the funeral service that will take place at Oregon City Evangial Church on Friday at 2:00 P.M.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you say when posting an obituary on Facebook?

An obituary on Facebook should mention the person’s name, age, birthday, birthplace, the date of the death, the city and state they lived in. It should also include details regarding the funeral service and when and where it will take place.

Is it appropriate to post funeral pictures on social media?

You must have permission from the family who organized the funeral to post pictures on social media. You must also ask whoever is in the picture if it’s okay to post it. Doing so without getting permission is considered rude and untasteful. 

How do you share the news of someone passing away?

There are many ways to share the news of a person's passing, whether it’s in newspapers, websites or social media sites. If you are struggling with how to start it, use simple language and prepare the reader by stating, “I/we sadly announce…”