Member Avatar for InsightsDigital

We all know majority of businesses are jumping into social media. The question is: "When is it not appropriate to do so?" I personally dont recommend it for certain type of businesses like funerals, unless you are adding sending a gift. What do you think?

  • 3 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 159 Views
  • 2 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by MktgRob

Dani AI

Generated

This thread highlights the real tradeoff between presence and propriety. raised the sensitivity question, and and remind that intent and execution change everything. Below are concise, practical "what not to do" guidelines plus safer alternatives and a short implementation checklist to help avoid tone-deaf mistakes.

Don'ts (short, actionable)

  • Do not treat private or traumatic events as promotional opportunities. Avoid CTAs, offers, or sales language tied to personal loss.
  • Do not publish names, photos, service times, or other identifying details without documented consent from next of kin.
  • Do not use automation for condolences or grief responses. Auto-responses can feel cold or inappropriate.
  • Do not repurpose tribute content or user grief for paid ads or cross-promotion.
  • Do not livestream ceremonies or private moments without explicit, recorded permission from all affected parties.
  • Do not ignore moderation — unchecked comments can escalate harm quickly.

Safer alternatives and platform notes

  • Use gated or private groups, invite-only pages, or opt-in memorial pages to share updates with consenting people only.
  • Offer resources (counseling links, how-to guides, FAQs) rather than sales messaging; a content hub or blog post can provide value without publicity.
  • Implement platform-specific privacy options and memorial settings where available, and keep a simple consent form for media and streaming.

Quick implementation checklist

  1. Define purpose and audience for the channel.
  2. Draft a short content-and-consent policy that covers posting, photos, livestreams, and moderation.
  3. Assign trained moderators and an escalation path (PR/legal contacts).
  4. Monitor sentiment, record permissions, and review the policy quarterly.

When in doubt, prioritize privacy and empathy over visibility—clear purpose and documented consent keep both reputation and people safe.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for jay 11

I think it depends on your reasons for getting involved... Social Media can be a powerful tool for branding, announcing new products/services, promoting special offers, and it could act as a medium for you customers to contact you - as well as share positive (or negative) experiences with others.

If your users or followers see that you have a Social Media platform, they might appreciate the fact that you have opened the doors of communication to the public and themselves. So i don't necessarily think it is in bad taste for a funeral parlor to have a Twitter account or Facebook page... as long as they are doing it for the right reasons - ie. exposure for the company and to open the doors of communication.

Member Avatar for MktgRob

I think it depends on your reasons for getting involved... Social Media can be a powerful tool for branding, announcing new products/services, promoting special offers, and it could act as a medium for you customers to contact you - as well as share positive (or negative) experiences with others.

If your users or followers see that you have a Social Media platform, they might appreciate the fact that you have opened the doors of communication to the public and themselves. So i don't necessarily think it is in bad taste for a funeral parlor to have a Twitter account or Facebook page... as long as they are doing it for the right reasons - ie. exposure for the company and to open the doors of communication.

I would agree with you but InsightsDigital has a point also. Using the example of a funeral home, a twitter feed for a facebook page (especially a fan page) would not be appropriate. A blog about dealing with grief would be better because it would afford the funeral home an opportunity to display its compassion for those who are grieving. To try to do the same in twitter (160 character limit) or a facebook page (where controlling ads on your page is an issue) would seem a little insensitive.

Member Avatar for InsightsDigital

I totally agree. That is why I recommend to some clients that just pick one or two social media tactics and then let it grow - not all social media is appropriate for all businesses. I cant see people subscribing to tweets about who is having their funerals. I think this is a very private and only shared if the family wants to share it.

Member Avatar for MktgRob

I totally agree. That is why I recommend to some clients that just pick one or two social media tactics and then let it grow - not all social media is appropriate for all businesses. I cant see people subscribing to tweets about who is having their funerals. I think this is a very private and only shared if the family wants to share it.

On the flip side of this, a funeral home could set up a twitter feed for the deceased as a way for people to leave their condolences who are not able to make it to the funeral home. Many newspapers set up condolence pages in their obituary sections on their websites and I have recently been invited to join a fan page on facebook for a late friend of mine from high school that was set up by his little brother as a tribute page. I think in terms of the example of a funeral home, they have to find a happy medium. I would say that this is true of all companies that are in sensitive business markets.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.