There are some constraints and questions about using a public poster
to announce a death: Should the picture of the deceased be of them in
their youth (as the upper poster in the pair of black and white
posters on the pole) despite that when they pass on they are
(hopefully) older? Or should they be depicted as they looked towards
the end of their life – as in the lower poster on the pole? Where
should such posters be placed throughout the village? If the deceased
lived in a village different from his birthplace at the time of
passing, are steps taken to place these fliers around the deceased’s
birthplace? What are the unintended effects of such public
announcements of death – perhaps inspiring an increased appreciation
for life? Or do they raise an environment’s general level of
morbidity? In the case of the color poster next to the door, more
noteworthy information is published (namely their religion), and by
being posted next to the household’s door after the memorial services
have taken place, the function of the poster has shifted from a notice
to a memorial. How will this practice be changed through social
media? How far off is that day (from rural Sri Lanka)?

Also: Is it ethical to post these pictures? My gut sends me funny signals about this, but that is predicated upon my culture’s treatment of death.