Death & suicide

References in ads relating to death, accidental death, suicide or funerals may offend listeners and sensitivity is required. Extreme care is needed where humour is used.

The acceptability of such references will depend on context and relevance. Greater leeway would be given to charity and public service ads where these subjects may be relevant, or to some commercial services such as funeral directors.

The Samaritans’ media guidelines provide useful advice on reporting suicide and suicide prevention communications: https://www.samaritans.org/