Facebook has made memorialization an official account feature, and it has become a common part of digital estate planning. When a person dies, their loved ones often have questions about what to do with their Facebook account. Managing social media accounts has become a standard part of digital estate planning.
This post covers what to do with a loved one's Facebook profile after they pass away.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook gives families two options after a loved one dies: memorialize the account or delete it permanently.
- Memorialized accounts show "Remembering" above the name, block all logins, and keep existing content visible.
- Deleting an account removes all photos, posts, and chats permanently and cannot be undone.
- To request either option, you must provide proof of death and proof of your relationship to the account holder.
- Download any photos or content you want to keep before requesting deletion, as the option closes once submitted.
What Does Memorialize Mean?
General: To honor someone's memory through a tribute, monument, or dedicated act. Legal: To formally record an agreement in writing, such as converting a verbal agreement into a signed contract. Digital: On platforms like Facebook, to convert an account into a permanent tribute profile after the account holder's death.
Other forms: memorialized, memorializing, memorialises (British). Related: commemorate, honor, immortalize.
What Is a Memorialized Facebook Profile?
A memorialized Facebook account provides a place for family and friends to gather and share memories after someone has died. Once an account is memorialized, the word “Remembering” appears above the person’s name. Memorialized accounts cannot be logged in to, which helps protect against fraudulent activity. (Facebook will not provide anyone with login credentials for a memorialized account.)
All content shared or posted by the account holder remains on Facebook, and the account’s existing privacy settings stay in place.
If a Facebook account holder designates a legacy contact, that person can manage limited aspects of the profile after the account holder dies. It's an idea similar to the one behind Google’s Inactive Account Manager. From the memorialized account’s settings, a legacy contact can:
- Pin a post to the top of the profile.
- Change the profile and cover photos.
- Respond to new friend requests.
- Request the removal of the profile.
How to Memorialize a Facebook Profile
After a loved one passes away, individuals can contact Facebook to request a memorialization of their account. Users must provide a direct link to the Facebook account (the URL at the top of the page), their email, and proof of death. Proof of death includes things such as an obituary notice, a death certificate, or a memorial card. All documentation must match the profile name exactly, or Facebook will deny the request.
Any personal account can be memorialized after the account holder passes away, unless the account holder has requested permanent account deletion after death. In these situations, notifying Facebook of the account holder's passing will result in their account being deleted.
After Facebook processes the request, the profile takes on a few visible changes. The word "Remembering" appears above the name on the profile page and across all areas of Facebook where the profile is shown. Pending friend requests are removed, but existing connections can still view the profile and post on the timeline. The account will no longer appear in birthday reminders or "People You May Know" suggestions. Facebook typically processes memorialization requests within a few days, though timing can vary based on the documentation provided.
How to Delete a Facebook Profile
To remove a loved one’s account from Facebook, you must provide documentation to confirm that you are an executor or immediate family member of the account holder. In addition, you’ll need to supply a photo of the death certificate. If you don't have the death certificate, you can provide proof of authority and proof of passing.
There are a few different documents Facebook accepts as proof, including:
| Proof of Passing | Proof of Authority |
|---|---|
| Death Certificate | Estate Letter |
| Memorial Card | Birth certificate (if the account holder was a minor) |
| Obituary | Last will |
The listed name on the documentation must match your loved one's account information. When sending the request to Facebook, black out any personal details that are not required (such as the social security number and home location).
What Happens When Facebook Deletes an Account
Deleting your loved one's Facebook profile is a permanent decision. You can’t access an account once it’s deleted, and all information relating to the account, including chats, photos, posts, and tagged posts, is deleted, though families should still take steps to protect against identity theft.
Before requesting deletion, families may want to save any content they would like to keep. Facebook offers a "Download Your Information" option that lets authorized users request a copy of the account's data, including photos, videos, and messages. This download option is not available once deletion is submitted. If there are photos or posts of personal value, downloading them first gives family members a way to hold on to those memories even after the account is closed. After deletion is confirmed, Facebook can take up to 90 days to fully remove account data from its servers.
How to Request Sign-In Details for Facebook
Although you won't need any sign-in details to memorialize or delete someone's profile after they die, there are circumstances where you might want to access the account. Common reasons include retrieving final messages of personal value or locating business correspondence stored in Messenger that was not saved elsewhere.
There are rare situations when Facebook will consider requests for account information or content. You must prove you’re an authorized representative and provide a court order requesting this information. Submitting a request and filing the required documents does not guarantee access to the account, and attempting to do so without authority could expose you to digital impersonation risks.
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Memorialize or Delete: Which Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on what the account holder would have wanted. If they were active on Facebook and had many online connections, memorialization gives their community a place to continue sharing memories. Friends and family can post on the timeline, revisit photos, and leave messages of remembrance.
If privacy was a priority, or if the account holder expressed a preference for deletion, removing the account may better honor their wishes. Families concerned about fraud or unwanted contact may prefer deletion, since memorialized accounts remain visible based on the original privacy settings.
When the account holder's wishes are not known, memorialization is often a reasonable first step. It preserves the profile while families think through what to do, since deletion is immediate and cannot be undone.
In Conclusion
Currently, two options are available for someone wanting to close a loved one’s Facebook account. These options include memorializing the account or permanently deleting the profile. Memorializing the account prevents user sign-in and allows others to interact with the profile.
Deleting the account will remove all information connected to it. It is a permanent decision that removes personal details, photos, videos, and content. Making the right selection will depend on the account holder's wishes or, if those aren't known, the feelings of their loved ones.
Whether you're coping with the loss of a loved one or making your own legacy plans, Elayne can ease your administrative burden. See how Elayne can help.
FAQ
What does memorialize mean in a legal context?
In legal settings, to memorialize something means to formally record it in writing, such as memorializing a verbal agreement into a signed contract, or memorializing the terms of a settlement. This usage focuses on documentation and preservation for future reference or enforceability. While this article focuses on memorializing a Facebook account after death, the broader legal meaning is equally common.
How do you choose what happens with your Facebook account after you die?
You can manage your memorialization preference in Facebook's Accounts Center.
- From your main profile page, click on your profile photo on the top right.
- Select Settings & Privacy; then on click Settings.
- Click on Accounts Center; then click on Personal Details.
- Click on Account Ownership and Control; then click Memorialization.
- Click Memorialize Account or Delete After Death. If you choose to memorialize your account, you'll need to select a legacy contact to manage your account.
- Click Next to confirm.
How long does it take for Facebook to memorialize an account after a request is submitted?
Facebook typically processes memorialization requests within a few days, though timing can vary depending on the completeness of your documentation. You'll need to provide a direct link to the account and proof of death (like a death certificate or obituary).
Can I still see my loved one's photos and posts after their account is memorialized?
Yes, all content your loved one shared remains visible on a memorialized account, and the existing privacy settings stay in place. The word "Remembering" will appear above their name, but friends and family can still view and share memories on the profile.
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal, medical, financial, or tax advice. Please consult with a licensed professional to address your specific situation.
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