Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. In the digital age, you may be faced with the task of handling their online accounts and profiles after they pass away. This includes social media accounts like Facebook.
Facebook has a process in place to memorialize or delete the account of someone who has died. Here is a guide on how to delete a deceased person’s Facebook account.
Why You May Want to Delete a Dead Person’s Facebook Account
There are a few key reasons why you may want to delete the Facebook account of someone who has passed away:
- Privacy – To protect their privacy and prevent anyone from accessing their account
- Misuse – To prevent the account from being memorialized or misused by others
- Closure – To gain closure and wrap up their digital life
Deleting the account completely removes it and all associated data from Facebook. Memorializing the account preserves some profile elements to allow friends and family to post and share memories.
Can You Delete a Dead Person’s Facebook Account?
Yes, Facebook allows immediate family members to request the deletion of a deceased person’s account.
Here are the key steps involved:
- Submit proof of death to Facebook
- Verify your relationship to the deceased
- Make the request to delete the account
The account can only be deleted by a verified immediate family member. Proof of authority, death, and relationship will need to be provided.
Submitting Proof of Death to Facebook
The first step is sending Facebook proof of the death of the account holder so they can memorialize or delete the account. This prevents anyone else from accessing it.
Acceptable proof includes:
- Obituary
- Death certificate
- Memorial card
- News article reporting the death
To submit proof of death:
- Go to the Facebook Help Center
- Search for “How do I report a deceased person or an account that needs to be memorialized?”
- Click the link and follow the on-screen instructions
- Upload the death proof document
Once submitted, Facebook will memorialize the account within 24 hours to prevent logins. This buys you time to decide whether to delete it fully.
Verifying Your Relationship to the Deceased
To take further action on the account, Facebook will ask you to verify your relationship to the deceased person.
Proof of relation that Facebook accepts:
- Birth certificate (yours and the deceased)
- Marriage certificate
- Official paperwork showing joint ownership or accounts
- Obituary mentioning the relationship
Submit copies of the relevant documentation via the Facebook Help Center. Make sure identifying details are visible.
Once verified as an immediate family member, you can choose whether to permanently delete the account or keep it memorialized.
Requesting Account Deletion
If you decide to delete the account entirely, submit your request via the Facebook Help Center after verification.
Key things to note about account deletion:
- It is permanent – All data is erased and cannot be recovered
- It cannot be reversed once completed
- The process may take up to 90 days to fully complete
- You cannot re-register an identical account in the future
Consider memorialization if you may want partial access or account history preserved. Deletion erases everything permanently.
Alternative Option: Memorializing the Account
Instead of deleting the Facebook account, you can choose to memorialize it. This preserves some profile information and posts as a legacy.
Here is what memorialization does:
- “Remembering” is shown next to the name
- Profile remains visible to friends and family
- No one can log into the account
- Posts can still be shared by others
- Friends can still post memorials on the timeline
Memorializing the account may bring some comfort to friends and family of the deceased. They can still interact with memories and posts.
Who Can Delete or Memorialize a Facebook Account?
Facebook only allows immediate family members to manage accounts of deceased people.
Immediate family includes:
- Spouse
- Parents
- Children
- Siblings
- Domestic partner
Extended family like cousins, aunts/uncles, grandparents/grandchildren cannot directly request deletion or memorialization.
If you are not immediate family, you can still report the death to Facebook. But only verified relations will access account settings.
Additional Options for Friends on Facebook
If you are a friend of the deceased and not able to access account settings, you still have options to memorialize on Facebook:
- Post memories and condolences on their timeline
- Change profile and cover photos to honor them
- Create a group to share stories and photos
- Hold an online memorial through Facebook Live
- Add “Remembering” frame to your own profile picture
These actions let you pay tribute to your friend without accessing their account directly.
Important: Act Quickly to Delete Accounts
It is crucial to act quickly if you wish to delete a deceased person’s Facebook account. Here’s why:
- After 30 days inactive, profiles may be memorialized without consent
- Memorialized accounts are harder to fully delete
- Others may access, hack, or memorialize the account
- Accounts left up can be distressing and problematic
Submit proof of death immediately after passing. Verify your relation and intent to delete right away as well.
Timeframes and delays may occur, so act fast for immediate account deletion.
Will Facebook Notify an Account’s Friends?
When an account is memorialized or deleted, Facebook does not directly notify friends or followers.
However, it will become apparent when:
- The account and profile disappear from searches and News Feeds
- People try to tag or contact the deceased
- Messages and connection requests are not answered
- Old posts and photos are no longer visible
Facebook does this to limit distress for the wider community. But close friends and family will realize when the account is gone.
Can a Facebook Account Be Closed Without Proof of Death?
No, Facebook requires official proof of death before memorializing or deleting an account.
Why proof is mandatory:
- Prevents unauthorized account access
- Stops data falling into the wrong hands
- Protects privacy of the deceased
- Confirms the account holder has actually passed away
Facebook is very strict about this policy. No accounts are removed without death documentation being provided first.
Deleting vs. Deactivating a Facebook Account
It is important to note the difference between deleting and deactivating a Facebook account:
- Deactivating temporarily disables the account but retains all data.
- Deleting permanently removes the account, all data, and is irreversible.
Deactivation is done by logging into the account itself. Deletion requires proof of death from a verified relative.
How to Handle Other Digital Accounts
Beyond Facebook, the deceased may have left behind many online accounts and digital assets. Some key tips on handling these:
- Make a list of all known accounts and logins
- Prioritize important accounts like email, banking, utilities
- Submit death certificate to relevant providers
- Consult professionals for major assets like real estate
- Reset passwords if possible or contact providers
- Delete trivial accounts and spam where needed
Managing digital accounts and estates takes time and sensitivity. Seek help where needed.
Coping With the Loss of a Loved One
The grief of losing someone close is incredibly hard to bear. On top of emotional turmoil, unwinding their digital life adds extra stress and work.
As you adjust to life without your loved one, some self-care tips include:
- Talking to close family and friends for support
- Joining a grief support group in your area or online
- Getting therapy or bereavement counselling
- Reading books and resources about the grieving process
- Taking time to process emotions through writing, art, or other outlets
- Avoiding major decisions until you can think more clearly
The pain of loss never fully disappears. With time and help, you will learn how to carry it while still living life.
Conclusion
Closing online accounts of deceased loved ones, like Facebook, can be difficult but necessary. Following Facebook’s guidelines for providing proof and gaining verified access is key.
Choose account deletion for privacy or memorialization to retain some data. Act fast, as accounts can’t be removed without death documentation. Recruit help for larger digital estates and focus on self-care as you grieve.
With sensitivity and compassion, you can properly settle online affairs and find closure. This allows treasured memories to remain, while protecting the dignity and legacy of those we love.