diff --git a/api_tests/src/community.spec.ts b/api_tests/src/community.spec.ts
index e01d673d1..7c33f82fd 100644
--- a/api_tests/src/community.spec.ts
+++ b/api_tests/src/community.spec.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ import {
   createCommunity,
   deleteCommunity,
   removeCommunity,
+  getCommunity,
+  followCommunity,
   delay,
+  longDelay,
 } from './shared';
 import {
   Community,
@@ -55,6 +58,21 @@ test('Create community', async () => {
 test('Delete community', async () => {
   let communityRes = await createCommunity(beta);
   await delay();
+
+  // Cache the community on Alpha
+  let searchShort = `!${communityRes.community.name}@lemmy-beta:8551`;
+  let search = await searchForCommunity(alpha, searchShort);
+  let communityOnAlpha = search.communities[0];
+  assertCommunityFederation(communityOnAlpha, communityRes.community);
+  await delay();
+
+  // Follow the community from alpha
+  let follow = await followCommunity(alpha, true, communityOnAlpha.id);
+
+  // Make sure the follow response went through
+  expect(follow.community.local).toBe(false);
+  await delay();
+
   let deleteCommunityRes = await deleteCommunity(
     beta,
     true,
@@ -64,11 +82,9 @@ test('Delete community', async () => {
   await delay();
 
   // Make sure it got deleted on A
-  let search = await searchForBetaCommunity(alpha);
-  let communityA = search.communities[0];
-  // TODO this fails currently, because no updates are pushed
-  // expect(communityA.deleted).toBe(true);
-  // assertCommunityFederation(communityA, communityRes.community);
+  let communityOnAlphaDeleted = await getCommunity(alpha, communityOnAlpha.id);
+  expect(communityOnAlphaDeleted.community.deleted).toBe(true);
+  await delay();
 
   // Undelete
   let undeleteCommunityRes = await deleteCommunity(
@@ -80,29 +96,39 @@ test('Delete community', async () => {
   await delay();
 
   // Make sure it got undeleted on A
-  let search2 = await searchForBetaCommunity(alpha);
-  let communityA2 = search2.communities[0];
-  // TODO this fails currently, because no updates are pushed
-  // expect(communityA2.deleted).toBe(false);
-  // assertCommunityFederation(communityA2, undeleteCommunityRes.community);
+  let communityOnAlphaUnDeleted = await getCommunity(alpha, communityOnAlpha.id);
+  expect(communityOnAlphaUnDeleted.community.deleted).toBe(false);
 });
 
 test('Remove community', async () => {
   let communityRes = await createCommunity(beta);
   await delay();
+
+  // Cache the community on Alpha
+  let searchShort = `!${communityRes.community.name}@lemmy-beta:8551`;
+  let search = await searchForCommunity(alpha, searchShort);
+  let communityOnAlpha = search.communities[0];
+  assertCommunityFederation(communityOnAlpha, communityRes.community);
+  await delay();
+
+  // Follow the community from alpha
+  let follow = await followCommunity(alpha, true, communityOnAlpha.id);
+
+  // Make sure the follow response went through
+  expect(follow.community.local).toBe(false);
+  await delay();
+
   let removeCommunityRes = await removeCommunity(
     beta,
     true,
     communityRes.community.id
   );
   expect(removeCommunityRes.community.removed).toBe(true);
+  await delay();
 
-  // Make sure it got removed on A
-  let search = await searchForBetaCommunity(alpha);
-  let communityA = search.communities[0];
-  // TODO this fails currently, because no updates are pushed
-  // expect(communityA.removed).toBe(true);
-  // assertCommunityFederation(communityA, communityRes.community);
+  // Make sure it got Removed on A
+  let communityOnAlphaRemoved = await getCommunity(alpha, communityOnAlpha.id);
+  expect(communityOnAlphaRemoved.community.removed).toBe(true);
   await delay();
 
   // unremove
@@ -114,15 +140,18 @@ test('Remove community', async () => {
   expect(unremoveCommunityRes.community.removed).toBe(false);
   await delay();
 
-  // Make sure it got unremoved on A
-  let search2 = await searchForBetaCommunity(alpha);
-  let communityA2 = search2.communities[0];
-  // TODO this fails currently, because no updates are pushed
-  // expect(communityA2.removed).toBe(false);
-  // assertCommunityFederation(communityA2, unremoveCommunityRes.community);
+  // Make sure it got undeleted on A
+  let communityOnAlphaUnRemoved = await getCommunity(alpha, communityOnAlpha.id);
+  expect(communityOnAlphaUnRemoved.community.removed).toBe(false);
 });
 
 test('Search for beta community', async () => {
-  let search = await searchForBetaCommunity(alpha);
-  expect(search.communities[0].name).toBe('main');
+  let communityRes = await createCommunity(beta);
+  expect(communityRes.community.name).toBeDefined();
+  await delay();
+
+  let searchShort = `!${communityRes.community.name}@lemmy-beta:8551`;
+  let search = await searchForCommunity(alpha, searchShort);
+  let communityOnAlpha = search.communities[0];
+  assertCommunityFederation(communityOnAlpha, communityRes.community);
 });
diff --git a/api_tests/src/shared.ts b/api_tests/src/shared.ts
index 6aa5cfc4e..3c9cc5d86 100644
--- a/api_tests/src/shared.ts
+++ b/api_tests/src/shared.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   RemoveCommentForm,
   SearchForm,
   CommentResponse,
+  GetCommunityForm,
   CommunityForm,
   DeleteCommunityForm,
   RemoveCommunityForm,
@@ -402,6 +403,16 @@ export async function createCommunity(
   return api.client.createCommunity(form);
 }
 
+export async function getCommunity(
+  api: API,
+  id: number,
+): Promise<CommunityResponse> {
+  let form: GetCommunityForm = {
+    id,
+  };
+  return api.client.getCommunity(form);
+}
+
 export async function deleteCommunity(
   api: API,
   deleted: boolean,
diff --git a/docker/federation/start-local-instances.bash b/docker/federation/start-local-instances.bash
index 6814fdd79..3c374e37e 100755
--- a/docker/federation/start-local-instances.bash
+++ b/docker/federation/start-local-instances.bash
@@ -8,4 +8,14 @@ for Item in alpha beta gamma delta epsilon ; do
   sudo chown -R 991:991 volumes/pictrs_$Item
 done
 
-sudo docker-compose up
+sudo docker-compose up -d
+
+echo "Waiting for Lemmy to start..."
+while [[ "$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}' 'localhost:8541/api/v1/site')" != "200" ]]; do sleep 1; done
+while [[ "$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}' 'localhost:8551/api/v1/site')" != "200" ]]; do sleep 1; done
+while [[ "$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}' 'localhost:8561/api/v1/site')" != "200" ]]; do sleep 1; done
+while [[ "$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}' 'localhost:8571/api/v1/site')" != "200" ]]; do sleep 1; done
+while [[ "$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}' 'localhost:8581/api/v1/site')" != "200" ]]; do sleep 1; done
+echo "All instances started."
+
+sudo docker-compose logs -f
diff --git a/docs/src/contributing_apub_api_outline.md b/docs/src/contributing_apub_api_outline.md
index 0556e484d..f5c7a5951 100644
--- a/docs/src/contributing_apub_api_outline.md
+++ b/docs/src/contributing_apub_api_outline.md
@@ -559,6 +559,56 @@ Sent to: User
 |---|---|---|
 | `object` | yes | Any `Create`, `Update`, `Like`, `Dislike`, `Delete` `Remove` or `Undo` activity as described above |
 
+### Remove or Delete Community
+
+```json
+{
+  "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+  "id": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/activities/remove/e4ca7688-af9d-48b7-864f-765e7f9f3591",
+  "type": "Remove",
+  "actor": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/some_community",
+  "cc": [
+    "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/some_community/followers"
+  ],
+  "to": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
+  "object": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/some_community"
+}
+```
+
+| Field Name | Mandatory | Description |
+|---|---|---|
+| `type` | yes | Either `Remove` or `Delete` |
+
+### Restore Removed or Deleted Community 
+
+```json
+{
+  "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+  "id": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/activities/like/0703668c-8b09-4a85-aa7a-f93621936901",
+  "type": "Undo",
+  "actor": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/some_community",
+  "to": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
+  "cc": [
+    "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/testcom/followers"
+  ],
+  "object": {
+    "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+    "id": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/activities/remove/1062b5e0-07e8-44fc-868c-854209935bdd",
+    "type": "Remove",
+    "actor": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/some_community",
+    "object": "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/testcom",
+    "to": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
+    "cc": [
+      "http://ds9.lemmy.ml/c/testcom/followers"
+    ]
+  }
+}
+
+```
+| Field Name | Mandatory | Description |
+|---|---|---|
+| `object.type` | yes | Either `Remove` or `Delete` |
+
 ### Create or Update Private message 
 
 Creates a new private message between two users.
diff --git a/lemmy_api/src/community.rs b/lemmy_api/src/community.rs
index 4149053f6..4c9d769ba 100644
--- a/lemmy_api/src/community.rs
+++ b/lemmy_api/src/community.rs
@@ -327,9 +327,9 @@ impl Perform for DeleteCommunity {
 
     // Send apub messages
     if deleted {
-      updated_community.send_delete(&user, context).await?;
+      updated_community.send_delete(context).await?;
     } else {
-      updated_community.send_undo_delete(&user, context).await?;
+      updated_community.send_undo_delete(context).await?;
     }
 
     let edit_id = data.edit_id;
@@ -395,9 +395,9 @@ impl Perform for RemoveCommunity {
 
     // Apub messages
     if removed {
-      updated_community.send_remove(&user, context).await?;
+      updated_community.send_remove(context).await?;
     } else {
-      updated_community.send_undo_remove(&user, context).await?;
+      updated_community.send_undo_remove(context).await?;
     }
 
     let edit_id = data.edit_id;
diff --git a/lemmy_api/src/user.rs b/lemmy_api/src/user.rs
index ad3d98087..6dffc1a79 100644
--- a/lemmy_api/src/user.rs
+++ b/lemmy_api/src/user.rs
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ use lemmy_db::{
   ListingType,
   SortType,
 };
-use lemmy_structs::{blocking, user::*};
+use lemmy_structs::{blocking, send_email_to_user, user::*};
 use lemmy_utils::{
   apub::{generate_actor_keypair, make_apub_endpoint, EndpointType},
   email::send_email,
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ use lemmy_websocket::{
   LemmyContext,
   UserOperation,
 };
-use log::error;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
 #[async_trait::async_trait(?Send)]
@@ -1041,23 +1040,12 @@ impl Perform for CreatePrivateMessage {
     let recipient_user =
       blocking(context.pool(), move |conn| User_::read(conn, recipient_id)).await??;
     if recipient_user.send_notifications_to_email {
-      if let Some(email) = recipient_user.email {
-        let subject = &format!(
-          "{} - Private Message from {}",
-          Settings::get().hostname,
-          user.name,
-        );
-        let html = &format!(
-          "<h1>Private Message</h1><br><div>{} - {}</div><br><a href={}/inbox>inbox</a>",
-          user.name,
-          &content_slurs_removed,
-          Settings::get().get_protocol_and_hostname()
-        );
-        match send_email(subject, &email, &recipient_user.name, html) {
-          Ok(_o) => _o,
-          Err(e) => error!("{}", e),
-        };
-      }
+      send_email_to_user(
+        recipient_user,
+        "Private Message from",
+        "Private Message",
+        &content_slurs_removed,
+      );
     }
 
     let message = blocking(context.pool(), move |conn| {
diff --git a/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/community.rs b/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/community.rs
index 446ce6f34..cdcc96707 100644
--- a/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/community.rs
+++ b/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/community.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ use crate::{
   check_is_apub_id_valid,
   fetcher::get_or_fetch_and_upsert_user,
   ActorType,
-  ToApub,
 };
 use activitystreams::{
   activity::{
@@ -23,7 +22,7 @@ use activitystreams::{
 };
 use anyhow::Context;
 use itertools::Itertools;
-use lemmy_db::{community::Community, community_view::CommunityFollowerView, user::User_, DbPool};
+use lemmy_db::{community::Community, community_view::CommunityFollowerView, DbPool};
 use lemmy_structs::blocking;
 use lemmy_utils::{location_info, settings::Settings, LemmyError};
 use lemmy_websocket::LemmyContext;
@@ -85,10 +84,8 @@ impl ActorType for Community {
   }
 
   /// If the creator of a community deletes the community, send this to all followers.
-  async fn send_delete(&self, creator: &User_, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
-    let group = self.to_apub(context.pool()).await?;
-
-    let mut delete = Delete::new(creator.actor_id.to_owned(), group.into_any_base()?);
+  async fn send_delete(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+    let mut delete = Delete::new(self.actor_id()?, self.actor_id()?);
     delete
       .set_context(activitystreams::context())
       .set_id(generate_activity_id(DeleteType::Delete)?)
@@ -100,21 +97,15 @@ impl ActorType for Community {
   }
 
   /// If the creator of a community reverts the deletion of a community, send this to all followers.
-  async fn send_undo_delete(
-    &self,
-    creator: &User_,
-    context: &LemmyContext,
-  ) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
-    let group = self.to_apub(context.pool()).await?;
-
-    let mut delete = Delete::new(creator.actor_id.to_owned(), group.into_any_base()?);
+  async fn send_undo_delete(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+    let mut delete = Delete::new(self.actor_id()?, self.actor_id()?);
     delete
       .set_context(activitystreams::context())
       .set_id(generate_activity_id(DeleteType::Delete)?)
       .set_to(public())
       .set_many_ccs(vec![self.get_followers_url()?]);
 
-    let mut undo = Undo::new(creator.actor_id.to_owned(), delete.into_any_base()?);
+    let mut undo = Undo::new(self.actor_id()?, delete.into_any_base()?);
     undo
       .set_context(activitystreams::context())
       .set_id(generate_activity_id(UndoType::Undo)?)
@@ -126,8 +117,8 @@ impl ActorType for Community {
   }
 
   /// If an admin removes a community, send this to all followers.
-  async fn send_remove(&self, mod_: &User_, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
-    let mut remove = Remove::new(mod_.actor_id.to_owned(), self.actor_id()?);
+  async fn send_remove(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+    let mut remove = Remove::new(self.actor_id()?, self.actor_id()?);
     remove
       .set_context(activitystreams::context())
       .set_id(generate_activity_id(RemoveType::Remove)?)
@@ -139,8 +130,8 @@ impl ActorType for Community {
   }
 
   /// If an admin reverts the removal of a community, send this to all followers.
-  async fn send_undo_remove(&self, mod_: &User_, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
-    let mut remove = Remove::new(mod_.actor_id.to_owned(), self.actor_id()?);
+  async fn send_undo_remove(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+    let mut remove = Remove::new(self.actor_id()?, self.actor_id()?);
     remove
       .set_context(activitystreams::context())
       .set_id(generate_activity_id(RemoveType::Remove)?)
@@ -148,7 +139,7 @@ impl ActorType for Community {
       .set_many_ccs(vec![self.get_followers_url()?]);
 
     // Undo that fake activity
-    let mut undo = Undo::new(mod_.actor_id.to_owned(), remove.into_any_base()?);
+    let mut undo = Undo::new(self.actor_id()?, remove.into_any_base()?);
     undo
       .set_context(activitystreams::context())
       .set_id(generate_activity_id(LikeType::Like)?)
diff --git a/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/user.rs b/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/user.rs
index c4d287a56..bd791e5e3 100644
--- a/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/user.rs
+++ b/lemmy_apub/src/activities/send/user.rs
@@ -94,27 +94,19 @@ impl ActorType for User_ {
     unimplemented!()
   }
 
-  async fn send_delete(&self, _creator: &User_, _context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+  async fn send_delete(&self, _context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
     unimplemented!()
   }
 
-  async fn send_undo_delete(
-    &self,
-    _creator: &User_,
-    _context: &LemmyContext,
-  ) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+  async fn send_undo_delete(&self, _context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
     unimplemented!()
   }
 
-  async fn send_remove(&self, _creator: &User_, _context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+  async fn send_remove(&self, _context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
     unimplemented!()
   }
 
-  async fn send_undo_remove(
-    &self,
-    _creator: &User_,
-    _context: &LemmyContext,
-  ) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+  async fn send_undo_remove(&self, _context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
     unimplemented!()
   }
 
diff --git a/lemmy_apub/src/fetcher.rs b/lemmy_apub/src/fetcher.rs
index 43466a0f5..ff3b03d34 100644
--- a/lemmy_apub/src/fetcher.rs
+++ b/lemmy_apub/src/fetcher.rs
@@ -251,10 +251,14 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_or_fetch_and_upsert_user(
     Ok(u) if !u.local && should_refetch_actor(u.last_refreshed_at) => {
       debug!("Fetching and updating from remote user: {}", apub_id);
       let person =
-        fetch_remote_object::<PersonExt>(context.client(), apub_id, recursion_counter).await?;
+        fetch_remote_object::<PersonExt>(context.client(), apub_id, recursion_counter).await;
+      // If fetching failed, return the existing data.
+      if person.is_err() {
+        return Ok(u);
+      }
 
       let mut uf = UserForm::from_apub(
-        &person,
+        &person?,
         context,
         Some(apub_id.to_owned()),
         recursion_counter,
@@ -320,7 +324,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_or_fetch_and_upsert_community(
   match community {
     Ok(c) if !c.local && should_refetch_actor(c.last_refreshed_at) => {
       debug!("Fetching and updating from remote community: {}", apub_id);
-      fetch_remote_community(apub_id, context, Some(c.id), recursion_counter).await
+      fetch_remote_community(apub_id, context, Some(c), recursion_counter).await
     }
     Ok(c) => Ok(c),
     Err(NotFound {}) => {
@@ -331,17 +335,24 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_or_fetch_and_upsert_community(
   }
 }
 
-/// Request a community by apub ID from a remote instance, including moderators. If `community_id`,
+/// Request a community by apub ID from a remote instance, including moderators. If `old_community`,
 /// is set, this is an update for a community which is already known locally. If not, we don't know
 /// the community yet and also pull the outbox, to get some initial posts.
 async fn fetch_remote_community(
   apub_id: &Url,
   context: &LemmyContext,
-  community_id: Option<i32>,
+  old_community: Option<Community>,
   recursion_counter: &mut i32,
 ) -> Result<Community, LemmyError> {
-  let group = fetch_remote_object::<GroupExt>(context.client(), apub_id, recursion_counter).await?;
+  let group = fetch_remote_object::<GroupExt>(context.client(), apub_id, recursion_counter).await;
+  // If fetching failed, return the existing data.
+  if let Some(ref c) = old_community {
+    if group.is_err() {
+      return Ok(c.to_owned());
+    }
+  }
 
+  let group = group?;
   let cf =
     CommunityForm::from_apub(&group, context, Some(apub_id.to_owned()), recursion_counter).await?;
   let community = blocking(context.pool(), move |conn| Community::upsert(conn, &cf)).await??;
@@ -364,7 +375,7 @@ async fn fetch_remote_community(
   }
 
   // TODO: need to make this work to update mods of existing communities
-  if community_id.is_none() {
+  if old_community.is_none() {
     let community_id = community.id;
     blocking(context.pool(), move |conn| {
       for mod_ in creator_and_moderators {
diff --git a/lemmy_apub/src/lib.rs b/lemmy_apub/src/lib.rs
index 4449c94f4..e7410ee25 100644
--- a/lemmy_apub/src/lib.rs
+++ b/lemmy_apub/src/lib.rs
@@ -189,15 +189,11 @@ pub trait ActorType {
     context: &LemmyContext,
   ) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
 
-  async fn send_delete(&self, creator: &User_, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
-  async fn send_undo_delete(
-    &self,
-    creator: &User_,
-    context: &LemmyContext,
-  ) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
+  async fn send_delete(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
+  async fn send_undo_delete(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
 
-  async fn send_remove(&self, mod_: &User_, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
-  async fn send_undo_remove(&self, mod_: &User_, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
+  async fn send_remove(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
+  async fn send_undo_remove(&self, context: &LemmyContext) -> Result<(), LemmyError>;
 
   async fn send_announce(
     &self,
diff --git a/lemmy_structs/src/lib.rs b/lemmy_structs/src/lib.rs
index 9b67866a9..5d2e42733 100644
--- a/lemmy_structs/src/lib.rs
+++ b/lemmy_structs/src/lib.rs
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ fn do_send_local_notifs(
   do_send_email: bool,
 ) -> Vec<i32> {
   let mut recipient_ids = Vec::new();
-  let hostname = &Settings::get().get_protocol_and_hostname();
 
   // Send the local mentions
   for mention in mentions
@@ -106,17 +105,12 @@ fn do_send_local_notifs(
 
       // Send an email to those users that have notifications on
       if do_send_email && mention_user.send_notifications_to_email {
-        if let Some(mention_email) = mention_user.email {
-          let subject = &format!("{} - Mentioned by {}", Settings::get().hostname, user.name,);
-          let html = &format!(
-            "<h1>User Mention</h1><br><div>{} - {}</div><br><a href={}/inbox>inbox</a>",
-            user.name, comment.content, hostname
-          );
-          match send_email(subject, &mention_email, &mention_user.name, html) {
-            Ok(_o) => _o,
-            Err(e) => error!("{}", e),
-          };
-        }
+        send_email_to_user(
+          mention_user,
+          "Mentioned by",
+          "User Mention",
+          &comment.content,
+        )
       }
     }
   }
@@ -130,17 +124,7 @@ fn do_send_local_notifs(
             recipient_ids.push(parent_user.id);
 
             if do_send_email && parent_user.send_notifications_to_email {
-              if let Some(comment_reply_email) = parent_user.email {
-                let subject = &format!("{} - Reply from {}", Settings::get().hostname, user.name,);
-                let html = &format!(
-                  "<h1>Comment Reply</h1><br><div>{} - {}</div><br><a href={}/inbox>inbox</a>",
-                  user.name, comment.content, hostname
-                );
-                match send_email(subject, &comment_reply_email, &parent_user.name, html) {
-                  Ok(_o) => _o,
-                  Err(e) => error!("{}", e),
-                };
-              }
+              send_email_to_user(parent_user, "Reply from", "Comment Reply", &comment.content)
             }
           }
         }
@@ -153,17 +137,7 @@ fn do_send_local_notifs(
           recipient_ids.push(parent_user.id);
 
           if do_send_email && parent_user.send_notifications_to_email {
-            if let Some(post_reply_email) = parent_user.email {
-              let subject = &format!("{} - Reply from {}", Settings::get().hostname, user.name,);
-              let html = &format!(
-                "<h1>Post Reply</h1><br><div>{} - {}</div><br><a href={}/inbox>inbox</a>",
-                user.name, comment.content, hostname
-              );
-              match send_email(subject, &post_reply_email, &parent_user.name, html) {
-                Ok(_o) => _o,
-                Err(e) => error!("{}", e),
-              };
-            }
+            send_email_to_user(parent_user, "Reply from", "Post Reply", &comment.content)
           }
         }
       }
@@ -171,3 +145,29 @@ fn do_send_local_notifs(
   };
   recipient_ids
 }
+
+pub fn send_email_to_user(user: User_, subject_text: &str, body_text: &str, comment_content: &str) {
+  if user.banned {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if let Some(user_email) = user.email {
+    let subject = &format!(
+      "{} - {} {}",
+      subject_text,
+      Settings::get().hostname,
+      user.name,
+    );
+    let html = &format!(
+      "<h1>{}</h1><br><div>{} - {}</div><br><a href={}/inbox>inbox</a>",
+      body_text,
+      user.name,
+      comment_content,
+      Settings::get().get_protocol_and_hostname()
+    );
+    match send_email(subject, &user_email, &user.name, html) {
+      Ok(_o) => _o,
+      Err(e) => error!("{}", e),
+    };
+  }
+}