Grief Iconography between Italians and Americans: A Comparative Study on How Mourning Is Visually Expressed on Social Media

As an innovative way to express grief, social media posts about the deceased have become fairly common. However, few studies examined commonly posted grief photos. The purpose of present study was examine such pictures, as well motivations and reactions those who them, among Italians Americans. Surveys were sent both Italian US participants. group yielded 262 responses (mean age = 22 years; 81% female), 51 32 82% female). Several key issues emerged, need for users receive empathic support from other users, desire maintain continuing bonds, wish remember deceased, share beauty symbolic pictures. images analyzed using content analysis. Both samples photos remember, enhance their posts. A strong preference pictures with a positive emotional connotation appeared, depicting in conjoint appearance participant. results suggest that imagery used expression sites, “iconography grief”, is popular means grievers across two cultures.