Should body-viewing images at funerals be shared on social media?

While advancements in digital technology have enabled […]

While advancements in digital technology have enabled people to capture and preserve memories, a concerning trend is emerging in Zambian society, the increasing use of cameras and smartphones to photograph and share images of the deceased during funerals, particularly during body viewings.

These images, often accompanied by personalized captions, are being circulated on social media, sometimes even including photos and videos of grieving families in their most vulnerable moments.

 The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has, however, strongly condemned this practice, emphasizing that funerals are sacred and sensitive occasions that demand respect and dignity for both the deceased and their families.

 In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), CCZ General Secretary Reverend Canon James Phiri acknowledged that while technology and social media have made it easier to document events, capturing and sharing images of the deceased should be approached with the utmost sensitivity.

 “The wishes, privacy, and consent of the bereaved family must always come first,” Reverend Phiri stated.

 He strongly discouraged the practice of taking and sharing such images, especially when done without the knowledge or permission of the family, and cautioned against using these moments merely as social media content.

 Reverend Phiri called for a renewed culture of respect around death and mourning, emphasizing that grieving families should not face the additional pain of discovering that images of their loved ones have been circulated online without their consent.

He acknowledged that there are instances where photographs or videos may be taken for legitimate family or documentation purposes, but insisted that even then, such actions must be carried out respectfully and with proper consent.

 Reverend Phiri appealed to both the public and the media to exercise restraint, empathy, and responsibility in their use of technology during funerals, reminding everyone that behind every funeral is a family experiencing profound loss.

Article by Karen Ngulube