Facebook has created a new feature that allows users to designate one friend who will be able to access their account if they die. The feature, called a legacy contact, can be activated in Facebook’s security settings menu.

Users can choose one specific Facebook friend to control aspects of their page, such as profile and cover photos, if they pass away. Another option is to choose for the account to be deleted after passing.

The social network already had a system in place that allowed users to let Facebook know someone had passed away. Once verified, the account becomes memorialized. With the new legacy contact feature, after the account becomes memorialized the person chosen to manage it will have more control.

The appearance of memorialized accounts will also change slightly. The word “remembering” will now be placed before the person’s name to let others know they have passed away.

“Family members will tell us ‘I really want to communicate information about the memorial service with this person’s friends,’” stated Facebook product manager Vanessa Callison-Burch. “People typically don’t think about this very much until they have an experience of loss.”

The changes are intended to provide family and friends a way to manage their loved one’s accounts more easily.

Source: Mashable