When planning for the future, most people think about traditional estate planning—wills, trusts, and property. However, in today’s digital age, managing your online presence after you pass away is just as important. For many, Facebook is a significant part of their lives. Ensuring your Facebook account is handled according to your wishes is a key part of your digital estate plan. Here’s a guide to help you through this process.
Why Proactively Managing Your Facebook Account Matters
Your Facebook account holds personal memories, messages, and even connections with loved ones. Without proper management:
- Your profile could remain active indefinitely, which might cause confusion or emotional distress to family and friends.
- Unwanted posts or account hacking could happen if no one oversees the account.
- It may leave behind unanswered questions, like who has the right to close or memorialize your account.
- Planning ahead ensures your wishes are respected and spares your loved ones from added stress during a difficult time.
How to manage your Facebook account after death
Facebook offers tools to help users plan for what happens to their account. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Assign a “Legacy Contact”
A Legacy Contact is someone you trust to manage your account after you pass away. They can:
- Memorialize your account.
- Write a pinned post (like a final message or obituary).
- Update your profile picture and cover photo.
- Request the account be deleted.
How to assign a Legacy Contact:
- Log in to Facebook.
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Select Memorialization Settings.
- Enter the name of your chosen Legacy Contact.
- Send them a message to let them know.
It’s generally considered best practice to name your existing digital executor as your Legacy Content. This minimizes the amount of people you need to update and inform regarding your wishes.
Step 2: Choose to delete your account after death
If you don’t want your account to remain online, Facebook allows you to set it to delete after you pass away.
How to enable Account Deletion:
- Follow the same steps to reach Memorialization Settings.
- Select the option to have your account permanently deleted.
- Confirm your choice.
Step 3: Include Facebook in your last will and testament
Even though Facebook has its own system, it’s wise to include your Facebook account in your digital estate plan or will. This ensures your executor or digital estate manager knows your wishes. Include details like:
- Your Legacy Contact’s name.
- Whether you want the account memorialized or deleted.
- Any specific instructions, such as removing old posts or downloading your data.
Tips and Considerations
- Pick the Right Legacy Contact. Choose someone who is tech-savvy, responsible, and understands your wishes.
- Communicate Your Preferences. Let your chosen contact know what you’d like done with your account—this avoids confusion.
- Review Periodically. If your relationships change or you want a different contact, update your Legacy Contact and memorialization settings. In general, it’s best to review these preferences annually (or bi-annually, later in life).
- Secure Your Account. Ensure your Facebook account is protected by strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized access.
- Update your Digital Assets Inventory. Ensure that your digital executor is aware of your Facebook account by adding it to your Digital Assets Inventory.
Next Steps to stay up-to-date
Once you’ve set up your Facebook preferences, follow these steps to ensure everything is current:
- Review Annually. Make a habit of reviewing your digital estate plan, including Facebook settings, at least once a year.
- Include Other Accounts. Extend your digital estate plan to include other platforms like email, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
- Inform Your Estate Executor. Provide your estate executor with a list of your digital assets and instructions for each.
Final Thoughts
Including your Facebook account in your digital estate plan ensures it is handled in a way that reflects your wishes and protects your loved ones. With just a few thoughtful steps, you can secure your online legacy and provide peace of mind for those you leave behind. Start today by setting up your memorialization preferences or talking to a trusted person about your plans.
Planning for the future isn’t just about finances—it’s about preserving your story.
