Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do with a Loved One’s Facebook Account After They Pass Away
Park Memorial • July 24, 2025
If Your Loved One is Still Alive and Wants You to Manage Their Account Later:
- Have them log in to
their Facebook account.
- Click the menu (top right corner) and go to
Settings & Privacy → Settings.
- Scroll down and click
Memorialization Settings.
- Under “Choose Legacy Contact”, have them
type your name and
select you.
- Optional: Check the box to allow you to
download a copy of their posts and photos later.
- Click
Save.
This means you’ll be in charge of their account if something ever happens.
If Your Loved One Has Already Passed Away:
You cannot log in to their account, even if you know their password, as this contravenes Facebook’s security regulations. Instead, follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather Documents
You will need:
- A death certificate, obituary, or memorial service program.
- The link to their Facebook profile (copy it from the browser bar).
- If possible, proof of your relationship (like a marriage certificate or executor documents).
Shape
Step 2: Request to Memorialize the Account
1. Go to this Facebook form: www.facebook.com/help/contact/228813257197480
2. Fill in:
- Your full name and contact info.
- Their full name.
- Date they passed.
- Link to their profile.
- Upload a death certificate or similar proof.
- Choose what you want: memorialize the account, close it, or request info.
3. Click Submit.
What Happens After the Account is Memorialized
- Their profile will say “Remembering [Name]” at the top.
- No one can log in to the account anymore, but stories and memories can still be posted by their friends.
- The posts and photos stay on Facebook (unless the account is deleted).
- If they chose a Legacy Contact (possibly you), you can:
- Post a tribute.
- Change the profile and cover photos.
- Accept friend requests.
- Request account deletion, if needed.
Here is an optional document templates you can download, fill out, and upload as proof:
Facebook Memorialization Request Letter – Download
You can fill in:
- The deceased’s name and date of passing
- Your relationship to them
- The link to their Facebook profile
- Your name and contact information
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