Most people think of Facebook as a social connection used to stay in touch with friends and family, but what happens when somebody
with a Facebook account dies?
with a Facebook account dies?
Facebook has its own standard procedure to memorialize a Facebook page after a person has passed on. An immediate family member of the deceased needs to contact Facebook and provide a copy of the death certificate in order to memorialize or take down the Facebook page. If the page is memorialized, only current friends of the deceased will have access to their page.
But what is the correct etiquette for friends and family members of the deceased? There are certain things that people should and should not do on Facebook after a friend or family member has passed away, and the following tips will help ensure that everyone uses the proper etiquette.
Don’t change your profile picture.
Some people think that changing their profile picture to a picture of the deceased is a tribute, but close friends and family members may not see it that way. If you change your profile picture to a picture of the deceased, it may make some people uncomfortable or upset, so it’s best to keep your profile picture as is.
If your profile picture already contained a picture of the deceased, you do not need to feel obligated to take it down immediately, as removing it may also give off the wrong impression.
Don’t use Facebook to discuss details.
Yes, you can use Facebook to let others know when and where the wake and funeral will be, but you should never use it to openly discuss how the person died. This type of information is meant to be kept private, and it is not up to you to let the world know what happened and when.
Don’t offer your condolences through Facebook.
If you are friends with the deceased’s friends or family members, do not offer your condolences to them through Facebook. Instead, send a sympathy card or share your condolences at the wake or funeral. You may think that you’re being truly genuine by posting your condolences on their wall, but at a time like this, most close friends and family members will not be checking their Facebook accounts, and they will not appreciate all of the publicity of the death.
Don’t bombard the deceased’s page.
When Facebook memorializes a page, it allows the current friends of the deceased to still have access to their page and leave comments. Many people use this as a way to say their goodbyes or share stories about the deceased, and this is perfectly acceptable, but you should wait until a family member does so first. If you are constantly posting pictures and comments on the deceased’s wall, it may upset some people, and it will look very tacky.
Nobody thinks of what actions they will take if one of their Facebook friends passes away, and many people simply do not think before they take actions on social media. A memorialized Facebook page can be a great way to keep in touch with others who knew the deceased and a great way to share stories, but too many people use Facebook inappropriately when it comes to death, and these tips are meant to ensure that everyone uses the right etiquette.
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