How to Memorialize a Facebook Account
Memorializing a Facebook account after someone dies can give friends and family a space to remember someone who passed away, while also letting people know that a death has occurred. Additionally, memorializing a Facebook lets you prevent unwanted users from accessing the account in the future. Here are steps on how to memorialize a Facebook page after someone passes away.
Can anyone memorialize a Facebook account?
Yes, any Facebook user can memorialize an account, but only immediate family members or executors can request that an account be removed entirely. They will also only accommodate special requests from the executor or immediate family member. Beyond that, you do not need to be an immediate family member to submit the request to memorialize a Facebook account.
What happens when a Facebook account is memorialized?
A memorialized Facebook account has a couple of unique features associated with it, including:
- The word 'Remembering' will appear on the Facebook profile, next to the individual's name.
- Friends can upload memories onto the memorialized timeline. (However, this depends on the account's privacy settings.)
- The profile is removed from public spaces on Facebook (such as People You May Know).
- If the account did not include a legacy contact, the page can’t be updated.
- Content that the person shared on their page will still stay visible to other Facebook members and visitors with existing privacy settings.
- Any Facebook pages that the account was the sole administrator on will be removed. You would need to appoint a legacy contact before passing away in order to have someone else take responsibility over the Facebook page once you’ve passed away. If you’d already appointed administrators to the page (other than yourself), the page ownership would transfer to them.
Why should I memorialize a Facebook account?
Memorializing an account lets visitors know that the person has passed away and can prevent others from attempting to take over the memorialized Facebook account. It also lets visitors continue to interact with the page, see memories, and see the posts of others which is a great way to remember someone who has passed away.
Can I permanently delete someone’s Facebook account instead of memorializing it?
You can request that Facebook remove an account (which takes it off of their platform) instead of memorializing it by filling out this form and selecting ‘Please remove this account because the account owner is deceased’ as the option.
Removing the account will not leave a memorialized version of the page behind. Keep in mind that only immediate family members or executors can request a Facebook account be permanently deleted.
Can you find out who memorialized a Facebook page?
It does not currently show the public who asked to have the page turned into a Facebook memorial page. Facebook will ask you for your own personal information if you're the one submitting the memorialization request, however.
Can you post on a memorialized Facebook page?
The ability to post on a memorialized Facebook page depends on the privacy settings that were on the account at the time of death. In most cases, if you were able to post on the page before it was memorialized, you'll still be able to share memories and condolences on the page after it's memorialized.
How do I gain access to a deceased person's Facebook?
Facebook will not share the login information for anyone's Facebook account, even if they've passed away. If you're trying to access a deceased person's Facebook account, you can try to reset the password (if you have access to the email address on file). Otherwise, you won't be able to access their account.
How to memorialize a Facebook account
If you know someone who has recently passed away and would like to memorialize their Facebook account, Facebook has made the process quite simple.
First, you'll need to gather required documentation. You'll need to provide Facebook with the following information:
- Full name on the person's profile
- Link to the person's profile
- The email address that was likely used to create the account
- Your full name
- Your contact email address
- Upload a scanned copy of the death certificate, obituary, memorial card, or other documentation showing they've passed away
- The date of death
Once you have this information, you can submit a memorialization request on Facebook's Special Request for Medically Incapacitated or Deceased Person's Account form.
Keep in mind that while memorializing a Facebook account does provide visitors with the knowledge that someone has passed away, it doesn't give visitors necessary information many may be looking for. If you know someone who has recently passed away, setting up a memorial website for them on Ever Loved is an excellent way to share important funeral information, publish an obituary, collect RSVPs, collect donations, and share and collect memories.
