How to set up a legacy contact for your Facebook account

The Internet, while ever-changing, is a very permanent thing.  Even after you've passed on, your Facebook account will remain online.  Setting up a legacy contact will allow someone you trust to handle that account for you.  It only takes a minute or two to set up; this article will walk you through it.

To set up a legacy contact from your web browser, log in to your Facebook account and click on the down arrow icon in the upper right corner.  Select Settings, then select Security on the left side.

Select Legacy Contact, and start typing the name of the person you want to add.  Facebook will offer suggestions, and you can choose the person you want.  (It must be someone with whom you are currently friends.)  Click Add.

You will have the option to send that person a message informing them that you've selected them as your legacy contact.  You can use a preset message or write your own.  To skip this step, select Not Now; otherwise, compose your message and click Send.

To allow your legacy contact to downloads posts and other information from your account (ie. photos and videos that you posted) check the box under Data Archive Permission.  If you want your account to be deleted once you have passed on, check the box under Account Deletion.  Once you have finished, click Close.