At a Glance
Memorialized profiles
Facebook memorializes a deceased user's account by displaying 'Remembering' before their name.
SupportedLegacy contacts
A designated Legacy Contact can manage the memorialized profile, including pinning posts and updating profile pictures or cover photos.
SupportedAccount deletion option
You can choose to have your account permanently deleted instead of memorialized.
SupportedLimited data access
Legacy Contacts cannot log in, read private messages or remove existing content.
NeutralOverview
Facebook lets users appoint a legacy contact to manage their main profile after it is memorialized, or choose to have the account permanently deleted upon proof of death. A legacy contact can perform limited actions, like pinning a post or updating photos, but they can't log in or read messages.
Memorialized Profiles
Facebook memorializes a deceased user's account by displaying 'Remembering' before their name. Memorialized accounts are protected from automated features like friend suggestions and birthday reminders, reducing distressing notifications for others.
Memorialization or Permanent Deletion
Users can either select a legacy contact to manage a memorialized profile or the "Delete after death" option, which permanently and immediately removes all content.
Legacy Contacts
A designated Legacy Contact can manage the memorialized profile by pinning tribute posts, responding to new friend requests and updating the profile or cover photo. However, they cannot log in, read private messages or remove existing content.
No Changes Without a Legacy Contact
If a memorialized profile has no legacy contact, no changes can be made to it at all.
Age Requirement
You must be 19 or older to select a legacy contact.
User Reviews
Alex R.
April 2025
Helpful to understand what options are available before anything happens. Wish more platforms offered legacy contacts.
Jamie L.
March 2025
The policy exists but navigating the setup is not straightforward. Could be made much more accessible.
Morgan T.
February 2025
One of the better implementations compared to other platforms. Setting up took only a few minutes.