Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. In the midst of grief, there are many things that need to be handled, from making funeral arrangements to notifying friends and family. One task that you may need to take care of is informing Facebook that someone has passed away.
Why should I tell Facebook that someone died?
There are a few key reasons why you should notify Facebook when a loved one passes away:
- Memorialize or delete the account. Facebook allows you to either memorialize the account so friends can continue to post memories, or delete the account entirely.
- Prevent identity theft. Scammers often target inactive accounts, so notifying Facebook helps secure the account.
- Stop painful reminders. Friends may not realize the person has passed, so automated birthday reminders can be upsetting.
- Honor the deceased’s wishes. They may have specifically asked for certain account actions after their death.
Taking action prevents the account from being compromised and protects loved ones from potentially painful content. Facebook is designed to connect living people, so it’s important to update it accordingly after a death.
How do I prove the death to Facebook?
To report a death to Facebook and request account actions, you’ll need to provide documentation proving the death. Acceptable documents include:
- Obituary or death certificate
- Memorial card from a funeral home
- Scan of a printed death notice
- Link to an online obituary
The documentation must include the name of the deceased, their birth date if available, and date of death. Facebook may request additional documents to confirm your relationship to the deceased.
Who can notify Facebook of a death?
Facebook allows both immediate family members and executors of estates to report deaths and request account actions. The following people can submit requests:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Parents, siblings, children, grandparents
- Executors, personal representatives, or administrators
- Other verified immediate family members
If you are not in one of these categories, Facebook recommends having an immediate family member make the request. Documentation proving your relationship may be required.
How do I submit a request?
To notify Facebook of a death, you will need to fill out their special request form. Here is the process:
- Go to the Facebook Help Center and search for “How do I report a deceased person’s account on Facebook?” Open the article.
- Click the “Let us know” button.
- Fill in the person’s name, their Facebook URL, your relationship, and your contact info.
- Check the boxes confirming your relationship, authority to make the request, and that you have documentation.
- Select the action you want taken – memorialize or delete the account.
- Upload the death documentation as a PDF or image file.
- Click submit. Facebook will review your request and documentation.
The form requires you to have the appropriate documentation on hand. Take time to gather the necessary proofs before beginning.
What’s the difference between memorializing and deleting an account?
Facebook offers two options when you report a death – memorialize or delete the account. Here’s an overview of how each works:
| Memorialize | Delete |
|---|---|
| Converts account to memorial state | Permanently deletes the account |
| Profile remains visible to friends | Profile no longer viewable |
| Friends can continue to post memories | All content is erased |
| Birthday reminders are disabled | Nothing remains on Facebook |
Memorializing keeps the profile active for friends to interact with as a tribute. Deleting erases everything and closes the account.
How long does it take Facebook to process the request?
It typically takes Facebook around 24 hours to review a request to memorialize or delete an account. The amount of time can vary based on:
- How complete your documentation is
- Any follow up needed from Facebook to confirm details
- Overall volume of requests currently being reviewed
Once they approve the request and take the requested action, you will receive a confirmation email from Facebook’s support team. The entire process may take up to several days depending on circumstances.
Can someone manage the deceased’s account for a time before closing it?
Facebook does allow a legacy contact to be designated to manage an account for a limited time before it is memorialized or deleted. To do this:
- The deceased must have designated a legacy contact on their Facebook account settings when alive.
- Facebook will notify the legacy contact after the death is reported.
- The contact can then choose to have the account memorialized immediately or request more time to manage it.
- The account can remain open for management for a few days or weeks until the legacy contact is ready.
- Finally, the legacy contact requests the account be memorialized or deleted.
Without being named a legacy contact beforehand, you cannot keep the account open temporarily. It must be memorialized or deleted immediately.
Can I create a new memorial profile instead?
Facebook does not allow creating a new memorial or “in memory of” profile. They only permit officially memorializing or deleting the existing profile belonging to the deceased person. The reasons include:
- Preventing duplicate or fake profiles
- Maintaining a single account for the person’s history and connections
- Not allowing profiles for people who didn’t consent to have a Facebook account
If you wish to establish a memorial space on Facebook, you can create a Facebook Group or Page rather than a profile. These offer more flexibility while complying with Facebook’s policies.
What if someone is falsely reported as deceased?
If you find that your Facebook account has been falsely memorialized or deleted due to a fake death report, you can reclaim your account by:
- Reporting the profile as belonging to a living person.
- Submitting documents to prove your identity, such as a photo ID.
- Answering a series of security questions to confirm your identity.
Facebook will review your information and restore your account if you can successfully prove you are the living person who owns it. Take action right away if you find your account mistakenly memorialized or deleted.
Conclusion
Reporting a death is an important step in securing accounts and protecting loved ones. By notifying Facebook, memorializing or deleting profiles, and managing legacy contacts, you can take care of an important task while grieving a loss. Carefully following Facebook’s procedures ensures the account is properly handled in line with the deceased’s wishes.