When a loved one passes away, their digital presence often lives on. Facebook allows immediate family and close friends to memorialize or delete an account, ensuring that the profile reflects their memory and respects their privacy wishes.
What Happens to a Facebook Profile After Death?
Facebook offers two main options for handling a deceased person’s profile:
- Memorialize the account: The word “Remembering” appears next to the person’s name, and their profile becomes a place for friends and family to share memories.
- Request account removal: Immediate family members can request permanent deletion of the account.
How to Memorialize a Facebook Account
To begin the memorialization process, fill out the official Facebook memorialization request form. You’ll need to provide the person’s name, date of passing, and proof of death (such as an obituary or death certificate).
Who Can Make the Request?
Any Facebook user can request memorialization. However, only verified immediate family members can request the account’s removal.
Privacy Settings of Memorialized Profiles
Facebook preserves the privacy settings of the deceased user. Friends and family can still view posts and photos if they had access before. No one can log into a memorialized account, and it won’t appear in public search results.
Legacy Contact vs. Memorialization
Users can assign a Legacy Contact before death to manage select parts of the profile, such as the cover photo, pinned posts, and friend requests. If no Legacy Contact is assigned, the profile can still be memorialized through the form.
Commemorative “Look Back” Videos
Facebook also offers a unique way to remember loved ones through custom “Look Back” videos, celebrating moments shared on the platform. To request one, submit a support request through Facebook’s Help Center.
Common Questions
Can I delete a deceased person’s Facebook account?
Yes. Verified immediate family members can submit a request to remove the account using this form.
What happens to the content of a memorialized profile?
Content remains visible based on the person’s privacy settings. Friends can continue to post tributes on the timeline if the setting allows.
Can I access private messages of the deceased?
No. Facebook does not provide access to private messages to protect user privacy—even after death.
How do I know if a profile has been memorialized?
You’ll see the word “Remembering” above the person’s name on their profile. It also won’t show up in public search or birthday reminders.
What is the role of a Legacy Contact?
A Legacy Contact can update the profile picture, respond to friend requests, write a pinned tribute post, and request account removal, but cannot log in or read messages.
