Some users share photos, while others opt for a memorial video. Some host fundraisers to support the family, and others ask for donations towards certain charities and causes.
The ways in which a user can announce the death of a friend or loved one on Facebook vary depending on the circumstances and the preference of the poster. In this article, we’re sharing a few things worth noting about how to announce a death on Facebook and how to handle the account of a user after their death.
Things to Consider When Writing a Death Announcement on Facebook
There are countless ways of announcing a death on Facebook. Some will link to an external website while others will create a personal post from a family member or loved one and share it on the deceased individual’s Facebook page.
Whatever you decide to do, the important things to remember are to:
- Be sensitive to the audience who may see and interact with the post. Many will first find out about the death through Facebook, so take care to word something sensitive and understanding
- Share details about a memorial event or funeral if you want to, to make it possible for friends and connections to pay their respects
- Let people know how best they can help and support the family. People want to help in times of need, so let them know what they can do
- Ask your wider network to share the post, ensuring that the news reaches all of those who would want to know. By sharing your original post, people will find out through your carefully chosen words and announcement, rather than second hand via someone else’s retelling
Memorialize a Facebook Account Following a Death
Once a Facebook user has died, it’s possible for their account to be memorialized and maintained as a central hub onto which friends and family members can share memories and photos with the person who has died. This act also prevents anyone from being able to log into the account and change it, protecting it as a place to gather memories without risk of the content being lost.
In order to do this, Facebook will need to verify the death via a memorialization request submitted by a friend or family member. This is accessible via the search bar and asks for information regarding when the user died. It also asks for documentation to prove their death, to ensure that users are not incorrectly memorialized.
With Facebook managing these requests directly and on a case by case basis, users can rest assured that the request will be handled sensitively. Once memorialized, the account is protected and becomes a safe space to share photos and other content relating to the individual.
We hope this helps and makes navigating the online world of social media a little more manageable in particularly challenging times.
