How Did You Tell Your Friends and Family that You Were Splitting Up?

Telling the kids is one thing, but then there are all the friends and family that need to be told, running through the story over and over again. It's enough to make you wish there was a service that could just make those calls for you:
"Hi this is the divorce notification service. Jerry and Louise are splitting up after 15 years of not so blissful wedded union. Yes, Jerry had an affair with his ridiculously young secretary. No, Louise never did get along with his mother. And I am sorry to inform you that they will be selling the house with the pool, so no more summer barbecues." That kind of thing.

In my case, I tried to keep it hidden from my parents because I didn't want to hear the I told you so response from my mother. That worked for about 2 minutes until my dad asked me what was wrong and I started bawling. The friends I told pretty quickly because, frankly, I needed the emotional support.

So how have other people told their friends and family that they are splitting up? Was it difficult, easy, helpful, painful? On the phone, via e-mail, text message?