Losing someone is incredibly difficult, and in the digital age, figuring out what to do with their online presence can add another layer of complexity.

Facebook, being one of the largest social platforms, offers specific options for managing a deceased user’s account: memorialization or deletion. They also allow you to set up a “Legacy Contact” – someone who can manage a memorialized account without needing extensive paperwork.

This guide will walk you through the process of reporting a death to Facebook, helping you honor their memory or permanently close their account.

Step 1: Understand Your Options – Memorialize vs. Delete

Before you start, decide what’s best for the deceased and their family.

• Memorialization: This turns the profile into a “Memorialized Account.”
  • The word “Remembering” appears next to their name.
  • No one can log into the account.
  • The profile won’t appear in “People You May Know” suggestions or birthday reminders.
  • Content they shared remains visible to their approved audience.
  • If a Legacy Contact was set up (more on that later), they can manage certain aspects (like approving friend requests, writing a pinned post, or changing the profile picture).
• Deletion: This permanently removes the account and all its content (photos, posts, comments).
  • This action is irreversible.
  • Only an immediate family member or executor can request this, and it requires more extensive documentation.

Step 2: Gather Necessary Documentation

Regardless of whether you choose memorialization or deletion, you’ll need proof. Facebook requires:

1. Proof of Death: An obituary or a death certificate.
2. Proof of Authority (for Deletion or Legacy Contact Access):
   • If you’re asking for deletion, you’ll need documentation proving you are an immediate family member or executor (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, last will and testament).
   • If you are the designated Legacy Contact, you will need documentation of your relationship and their death.

Step 3: Access the Facebook Request Form

Facebook has a dedicated portal for these requests Go to facebook.com/help/contact/228813257197480 and fill out the form to report a deceased person’s account.

Step 4: Fill Out the Form (Choose Your Path)

The form will guide you through the submission process:

1. Select Your Request Type:
   • “Request to memorialize an account.”
   • “Request to delete an account.”
   • “Request access to a deceased person’s account” (if you are the Legacy Contact).
2. Provide Deceased User’s Information: Full name, date of death, link to their Facebook profile.
3. Upload Documentation: Attach the death certificate/obituary and any proof of authority required.
4. Your Contact Information: Provide your name, email, and relationship to the deceased.

Step 5: Submit and Await Review

After submission, Facebook will review your request.

This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the request and the documentation provided.

Once Facebook has reviewed the request, you will typically receive an email confirmation that the account has been memorialized or deleted.

Shelter Pro-Tip: Plan Ahead!

The easiest way to manage a digital legacy is to plan it before it’s needed.

Use Shelter to store a comprehensive list of all online accounts, including wishes for each (memorialize, delete, transfer), so your family isn’t left guessing.