Question 1

Is whowasthisguy really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Creating and maintaining a memorial for a family member is free, with no tiers, no paywalls, and no hidden fees. The platform is supported by advertising on our curated notable-lives pages, not on family memorials.

Question 2

Why do some pages have ads and others don't?

Accepted Answer

We show ads only on pages about public figures and notable lives — people whose deaths were reported in the press. Those ads fund everything else. Family memorial pages remain completely ad-free.

Question 3

How do I create a memorial?

Accepted Answer

Click "Create a memorial" from the homepage, sign in, and follow the short wizard. You can add photos, a life story, key dates and places, and invite others to sign the guest book. It takes about ten minutes.

Question 4

Can I translate a memorial into other languages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every memorial and every public page is available in English, German, French, and Spanish. Translations are produced with AI assistance and clearly labelled so readers know when they are looking at a translated version.

Question 5

Who owns the content I upload?

Accepted Answer

You do. By publishing on whowasthisguy you grant us a licence to display the content on the platform, but you retain all rights and can ask for it to be taken down at any time.

Question 6

How do I request that a memorial or ad be removed?

Accepted Answer

Email the address listed on our Imprint page with the URL of the page and a brief note about who you are. We act on takedown requests from family members and authorised representatives without requiring paperwork.

Question 7

Do you sell or share personal data?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not sell user data. The only third-party services involved are necessary ones — hosting, CDN, advertising networks on notable-lives pages — and we detail them in our Privacy policy.

Question 8

Can I customise how a memorial page looks?

Accepted Answer

Today every memorial uses the same warm, simple design so that the focus stays on the person. Custom themes and vanity domains are on our roadmap as an optional paid feature; the core platform will always remain free.

Question 9

What happens to my memorial if the site shuts down?

Accepted Answer

We hope it never does. If we ever need to wind things down we will give ample notice and provide a full export of your memorial content so it is never lost.

Question 10

Can I write a memorial for someone I never met?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Historical figures, distant relatives, and community members all have a place here. Please be respectful and stick to what you can verify.