Facebook Life after Death

Periodically, Facebook reminds me of a friend or acquaintance who is dead. Either because it is his birthday and it wants me to wish him a happy day or it wants me to recommend people whom he should friend. If something happened to me, I would not want my face to hauntingly appear in the ‘Friends’ section of the timelines of members of my family and friends. In other words, what is the etiquette for Facebook life after death?

–Ophelia, Grosse Pointe, MI

There does not have to be any life after death on Facebook. You have the option of appointing a “legacy contact.” This executor of your account takes charge of the memorials after you’re dead. You instruct him or her as to your wishes. He or she has privileges that allow your profile photo and information to be updated. Your legacy contact can even be changed. However, take note that this memorialized contact cannot be changed once you’re gone.

From your account settings in your browser or on your mobile, select Security. Choose ‘Legacy Contact’ and type in the name of a Facebook friend to add as your legacy contact. If you would rather not have a memorialized timeline, you can choose the option of having your Facebook permanently deleted.

However, even without a legacy contact your family can report your death to Facebook and place a memorialization request.

Either way, your account name appears with the word “Remembering” in front of your name. In setting your security settings accordingly, friends will be able to post reminiscing comments on your timeline.

Facebook states that account holders with memorialized accounts can be assured that their name and face won’t appear in birthday announcements and advertisements, nor on the People You May Know list of friend suggestions. Otherwise, request to have your account deleted after you die.