Social Media after death
Ever wondered what happens to your social media accounts, like Facebook, after you pass away? In today’s digital age, platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with others. But have you considered what happens to these accounts when we’re no longer here?
Recognizing the significance of social media in modern society, estate planning now encompasses the management of digital legacies. Some platforms have introduced digital legacy policies, allowing users to designate a caretaker who will handle their social media accounts in memoriam.
If you’re contemplating creating or updating your will, preplanning a funeral, or making other end-of-life arrangements, it’s a good time to consider the fate of your social media accounts, particularly Facebook. By nominating a Facebook legacy contact, you can find peace of mind in knowing that your accounts will be managed according to your wishes.
Will your accounts remain open, continuing to represent you or your business even after your passing? Or would you like someone to have access to close or moderate them once you’re gone?
Creating a Facebook memorial profile can bring comfort to loved ones, allowing them to cherish and easily access memories from your Facebook account after your demise.
It’s important to note that each social media platform has its own specific legacy policy. To help you understand what happens to online accounts after death, we’ve compiled a guide that covers the most prominent social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
What happens to your Facebook account after you die?
Facebook offers memorialized accounts as a way for friends and family to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased. Privacy settings remain unchanged, and friends can still post on the page and tag the person who passed away.
A close relative or friend can be entrusted to care for your Facebook account after your death. By designating a Facebook legacy contact, that person can manage and moderate tributes on your memorialized profile.
When someone passes away, a close friend or relative can request to memorialize their Facebook profile. This will transform the page into a digital memorial, with the word “Remembering” preceding the deceased’s name. All past photos and posts shared by the person will remain visible on their memorial account.
You have the power to decide what happens to your Facebook account after you’re gone. You can either nominate a legacy contact to manage your memorialized account or request the permanent deletion of your profile. If you don’t choose the deletion option, Facebook will memorialize your account upon being notified of your passing.
If you find yourself in the position of wanting to delete the social media account of a recently deceased loved one, take a moment to browse through the posts and save any photos you’d like to keep. Deleting a social media account is irreversible, so exercise caution.
How do you nominate a Facebook legacy contact?
To nominate a Facebook legacy contact, access the General Account Settings on Facebook and locate the section called Memorialization Settings.
By selecting the person you trust to look after your memorial account, you can designate your Facebook legacy contact. After your passing, this individual will need to submit a digital copy of your death certificate for the page to transition into a memorial page. Once approved, your Facebook legacy contact can manage friend requests and moderate posts shared in the Tributes section.
Alternatively, if you prefer not to have a memorial account, you can request the permanent deletion of your Facebook profile after your death. You can find this option in the General Account Settings as well.
How do you memorialize or delete a Facebook profile after death?
To request the memorialisation or deletion of a loved one’s Facebook profile, you’ll need to contact Facebook and provide the necessary details. This process typically involves submitting a copy of the death certificate.