Facebook Debuts New Feature for People to Choose a ‘Legacy Contact’

Facebook has added a new option to allow users to choose a ‘legacy contact’ in the event one passes away, which would then allow the selected user to make the following changes to one’s profile:

• Write a post to display at the top of the memorialized Timeline (for example, to announce a memorial service or share a special message)
• Respond to new friend requests from family members and friends who were not yet connected on Facebook
• Update the profile picture and cover photo

The selected person can also have the option of downloading a copy of what you’ve shared on Facebook such as posts, photos and profile info. Also, memorialized profiles will now have a “Remembering” above their name.

Right now, the feature is only available in the U.S. but the social network said it will be “expanding to more countries” soon. This is definitely something you never want to setup or discuss, but I can see how some people want this option available.