How to Manage Social Media Accounts in Case of Death – Facebook & Instagram

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Did you know that when someone dies that person’s social media accounts remain active until a family member memorializes, deactivates, or deletes the accounts?

DGVE law is pleased to provide you with this practical, step-by-step guide on how to handle your loved ones’ social media accounts. ( Download print version.)

Facebook:

How to add your legacy contact to manage your contact if you can’t manage it yourself

    • Go to https://www.facebook.com/
    • Log in using a phone number/email address/username
      • The account may have 2 factor authentication. If it does, Facebook will ask you for a 6 digit code after it sends a text message with a 6 digit code to a preset phone number (most likely the user’s mobile phone number) which you will enter into the 6 empty boxes on the 2 factor authentication page
  • If it asks you to choose a new password, you may press the skip button if you are satisfied with your current password or you may create a new password
  • Click the down arrow icon in the top right corner of the page
  • Click “Settings & Privacy”
  • Click “Settings”
  • Click “memorialization settings”
  • Type in a friend’s name in Choose a friend and click Add
  • To let your friend know they’re now your legacy contact, click Send.

How to temporarily deactivate an account

  • Go to Facebook’s account deactivation page
  • Log in using a phone number/email address/username
    • The account may have 2 factor authentication. If it does, Facebook will ask you for a 6 digit code after it sends a text message with a 6 digit code to a preset phone number (most likely the user’s mobile phone number) which you will enter into the 6 empty boxes on the 2 factor authentication page
  • If it asks you to choose a new password, you may press the skip button if you are satisfied with your current password or you may create a new password
  • Select reason for leaving
  • Click the box to choose whether you would like Facebook to continue sending emails to the linked email address
  • Click the “Deactivate” button at the bottom of the screen

How to permanently delete an account

  • Go to Facebook’s account deletion page
  • Log in using a phone number/email address/username
    • The account may have 2 factor authentication. If it does, Facebook will ask you for a 6 digit code after it sends a text message with a 6 digit code to a preset phone number (most likely the user’s mobile phone number) which you will enter into the 6 empty boxes on the 2 factor authentication page
  • If it asks you to choose a new password, you may press the skip button if you are satisfied with your current password or you may create a new password
  • If you would like to save the data from the account such as photos etc click the “Download Info” button
  • Click the “Delete Account” button to delete the account

How to permanently memorialize a loved one’s account

  • Submit a Memorialization Request
  • Provide a URL link to the Facebook profile in the corresponding box
  • Use the calendar icon to enter the date of death in the corresponding box
  • Provide documentation of death by pressing the “Choose File” button. Examples of documentation:
    • Obituary
    • Death certificate
    • Memorial card
    • Any other documentation confirming that they’ve passed away
  • Enter your email address in the corresponding box

Instagram:

How to permanently delete an account

  • Go to https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/
  • Log in to the account by using the username/email address/phone number and password
    • The account may have 2 factor authentication. If it does, Instagram will ask you for a 6 digit code after it sends a text message with a 6 digit code to a preset phone number (most likely the user’s mobile phone number) which you will enter into the 6 empty boxes on the 2 factor authentication page
  • Click the drop-down menu and select the reason why you want to delete the account
  • Re-enter password in the corresponding text box
  • Click the delete account button at the bottom of the page to permanently delete the account

How to temporarily disable an account

  • Go to https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/temporary/
  • Log in to the account by using the username/phone number/email address and password
    • The account may have 2 factor authentication. If it does, Instagram will ask you for a 6 digit code after it sends a text message with a 6 digit code to a preset phone number (most likely the user’s mobile phone number) which you will enter into the 6 empty boxes on the 2 factor authentication page
  • Click the drop-down menu and select the reason why you want to temporarily disable the account
  • Re-enter password in corresponding text box
  • To complete the temporary disablement of the account, press the “Temporarily Disable Account” button at the bottom

How to memorialize an account

  • Go to https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/contact/452224988254813 to begin the memorialization process
  • Enter your full name in the corresponding text box
  • Enter your email in the corresponding text box
  • Enter the full name of the deceased person in the corresponding text box
  • Enter the Instagram username of the deceased person in the corresponding text box
  • Enter proof of death in the corresponding text box
    • A URL to an obituary
    • A URL to a news article
    • Or upload a file/picture by clicking the “Choose File” button and selecting the chosen file/picture
  • Click the box below “When did they pass” and use the calendar to select the date of death
  • (optional) Include any additional information in the corresponding text box
  •  Click the send button