I wasn't going to say anything because this is a really awkward topic for me but after seeing some of these really weirdly and unnecessarily hostile responses I feel like I have to chime in with a different perspective. I might honestly delete this later too since it's so personal but jeez some of yall got so violent I really felt like I needed to try to defend the OP.

So: a couple years ago my mom died of cancer. The most I did to announce it publicly online was to post a black screen on snapchat saying rest in peace. Only my friends could see it and I mostly did it because I'd been crying and panicking about it to them over the past couple months and this was basically me telling them that it was over.

I personally cannot imagine doing anything more than that. Making a long post and putting it up for the entire world to see where I talk about my mom in great detail... the idea makes me intensely uncomfortable. I will respect anyone else who does it and just try to ignore those posts and move on with my life, but seeing them still makes me intensely uncomfortable too. Although my viewpoint will always be that that's my problem, and none of the poster's business. So this is where I differ from the OP, I guess.

I know it's customary on the Internet to automatically assume the worst of someone when they say something that can be perceived as negative, but jesus guys, jumping to the conclusion that the OP is heartless and lacks empathy just feels so unnecessary. They shouldn't have to put their life story on blast like I just did to justify themselves. They said they were open to discussion, and they got a discussion. I've appreciated every measured response this post has gotten of perspectives different to mine.

And to the OP specifically, I respect you for being so open and receptive to other viewpoints. I agree with your opinion on some things and disagree intensely on others, but. Yeah. That's me.