Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. In the digital age, you may also be faced with handling their online accounts and profiles after they pass away. One of the most common online accounts people have is Facebook. When someone dies, their Facebook account may leave loved ones with painful reminders of their loss. You may wish to memorialize or delete the deceased person’s Facebook account. This guide will walk you through the steps to delete a Facebook account for someone who has died.
Should You Delete or Memorialize the Facebook Account?
When deciding what to do with the Facebook account of someone who has passed away, you have two options:
Delete the account
Deleting the account will permanently remove it and all of its content from Facebook. The person’s profile, photos, posts, videos, and comments will no longer be viewable. Deleting the account completely wipes it from existence on Facebook.
Memorialize the account
Memorializing the account preserves the profile as a place for loved ones to gather and share memories. With a memorialized account:
- The word “Remembering” will appear next to the person’s name on their profile
- The profile will no longer appear in public spaces like in recommendations or notifications
- No one will be able to log into the account
The account’s photos, posts, and profile remain visible toconfirmed friends as a memorial. You can also appoint a legacy contact to manage the memorialized profile. Often people choose to memorialize rather than delete so friends can still visit the profile and remember their loved one.
How to Delete a Facebook Account After Someone Dies
If you wish to permanently delete the account, you will need to submit a special request to Facebook. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Gather the Required Documents
To delete a Facebook account for someone who has passed away, Facebook requires an immediate family member or executor to provide certain documents:
- Proof of authority such as a death certificate
- Proof of your relationship to the deceased such as a birth certificate
This verifies you have the authority to make decisions about the account.
Step 2: Fill Out the Special Request Form
Facebook provides a special request form for deleting accounts of people who have passed away. To access it:
- Go to the Facebook Help Center
- Search for “special request for a deceased person’s account”
- Click the resulting form link
You will need to provide your name, relationship to the deceased, and the email address or phone number associated with their Facebook account.
Step 3: Submit the Required Documents
Once you submit the form, Facebook will email you instructions on how to send the required documents:
- The death certificate
- Proof of your relationship
You will need to reply to the email with images of these documents attached. This allows Facebook to verify you have authority to delete the account.
Step 4: Wait for Facebook to Review
After you submit the documents, Facebook will review your request. This typically takes about one week. Do not submit multiple requests, as this can slow down the process. Just wait patiently for their response.
Step 5: Facebook Deletes the Account
Once Facebook has reviewed your documents and verified your authority, they will delete the account. You will receive an email confirming it has been permanently removed. The deceased person’s profile, photos, posts, and all other data are now gone from Facebook.
What Happens When a Facebook Account Is Deleted?
Here is what occurs when Facebook deletes an account after death:
- The account profile, posts, photos, videos, and all data are erased
- Friends will no longer see the profile or be able to search for it
- No one will be able to log in to the account ever again
- Facebook removes the data from its servers
- There is no way to retrieve the data or reinstate the account
Essentially, deleting a Facebook account after death completely removes all existence of that profile from the platform. It cannot be recovered.
Other Options for Managing a Facebook Account After Death
While deleting the account completely removes it, you also have a few other options for managing a deceased person’s Facebook profile:
Appoint a Legacy Contact
Facebook allows you to choose a legacy contact to manage your account if you pass away. They can write pinned posts, respond to friend requests, and update photos and profile information. To set this up, go to your Facebook Settings and select Memorialization Settings.
Download Data from the Account
Before deleting the account, you can download a copy of the data from it. This allows you to preserve photos, posts, and messages. Go to Facebook Settings and click “Download your Information” to do this.
Let Facebook Delete Inactive Accounts
If you do nothing, Facebook will eventually delete inactive accounts. However, this can take years. It’s better to formally request account deletion.
Should You Inform Facebook Contacts About the Deleted Account?
It can be thoughtful to let the deceased person’s Facebook friends know that you have deleted their account. You can post an update from your own profile or send private messages. This allows friends to prepare for the account removal. Some things to mention:
- The date you plan to submit the deletion request or when it will be deleted
- Guidance to download or save anything they want to preserve from the profile
- Plans for a memorial service, gathering, or tribute
Give them time to act before the account gets deleted. Make sure really close friends and family are informed directly.
Coping with Grief After Deleting a Loved One’s Facebook Account
Taking down someone’s Facebook profile after they pass away can be emotionally difficult. Here are some healthy ways to cope with the grief:
Share Positive Memories and Stories
Talk with other loved ones about happy memories you have of the deceased person. Look back at their Facebook profile together before it gets deleted.
Write Down Your Feelings
Keep a journal where you can express your emotions freely about your loss and the process of removing their online presence.
Commemorate Them in Other Ways
Do something special to honor their memory like planting a tree, framing photos, or donating to a cause they cared about.
Join a Support Group
Connect with others going through similar losses, like an in-person or online bereavement group. Therapists can also help guide you through the grieving process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about deleting Facebook accounts after someone dies:
How long does it take Facebook to delete an account after death?
It typically takes around one week after submitting the request and required documents. Facebook will email you when finished.
Can someone’s Facebook account be deleted without proof they died?
No, Facebook requires official documentation like a death certificate to delete an account for a deceased person. This prevents unauthorized account removal.
What if I don’t have the required documents yet?
You cannot delete the account until you obtain the death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased. You can memorialize the account in the meantime.
Can I reactivate a Facebook account after deleting it?
No, once a Facebook account is deleted after someone dies, there is no way to retrieve or reinstate it. The data and profile are gone permanently.
Does Facebook notify contacts when an account is deleted?
No, Facebook does not directly inform the deceased user’s friends when the account gets deleted. You should post about the upcoming deletion so people know.
Conclusion
Losing someone close to you is painful enough without the constant reminders from their lingering online presence. After a death, you may need to make the difficult decision to delete their Facebook account. Remember to gather official documents, submit the removal request to Facebook, and give friends a heads up. Handle the profile sensitively and patiently as you navigate the grieving process. While this task can be emotionally draining, it may provide some closure knowing the account is properly handled after their passing.