Memorial Facebook Guide

Two options

• Memorialize — account stays, "Remembering" appears next to name. Friends/family can post tributes. Doesn't appear in birthday reminders or "people you may know".
• Delete — account permanently removed. Posts, photos, profile gone. Cannot undo.

If unsure — memorialize. You can delete later. You cannot undo deletion.

How to request memorialization

1. Go to facebook.com/help/contact/234739086860192
2. Or search Facebook Help Center for "memorialization request".
3. Fill in the deceased's full name and Facebook profile URL.
4. Upload proof: death certificate OR obituary OR news article.
5. Submit. Facebook responds in 1-3 weeks.

If you're the legacy contact

• You get notified after Facebook memorializes the account.
• You can pin a tribute post at the top.
• Update profile photo and cover.
• Accept new friend requests (for distant relatives finding the page).
• You CANNOT log in as them, read messages, or remove old posts.

How to request deletion

1. Only an immediate family member or executor can request.
2. Go to facebook.com/help/contact/228813257197480
3. Provide full name, profile URL, your relationship.
4. Upload death certificate AND proof of authority (will, power of attorney, etc.).
5. Account permanently removed in 1-3 weeks.

Save photos before deletion

1. If you're the legacy contact, you can request a download of their photos and posts.
2. Click "Manage Account" on the memorialized profile → "Request a copy".
3. Facebook emails a download link in a few days.
4. Save the file — it has every photo and post.

Other accounts to handle

• Instagram — same memorialize/delete process. Same Facebook help links.
• Apple iCloud — Legacy Contact (if set up) or court order.
• Google/Gmail — Inactive Account Manager OR family request to access.
• LinkedIn — request memorialization or removal at linkedin.com/help.
• Twitter/X — request removal with death certificate.
• Bank, credit cards, utilities — call. They have death procedures.