This is wrong, on so, so, so many levels. Yes, I get that the best way to maintain relationships is in meatspace, but this isn't really possible anymore. People move, meet online, etc... This doesn't mean they stop being friends. Their relationships might weaken, but you don't get degraded to "just an acquaintance" because of this. At the age of 18, I had already lived in 4 countries (France, Canada, US, UK) for a minimum period of 2 years. I still keep up with old friends, but this only happens online because meatspace is kind of getting in the way with us actually talking.

Furthermore, Facebook is totally to blame here. For most users, the whole point of their service is to keep in touch with others. That Facebook failed to tell the user of something as important as the hospitalization and death of a dear friend is a clear red flag: Facebook's algorithms are failing. Sure, you can also blame the user for using the "wrong medium", leaving communication to a for-profit company. But then what's the lesson here ? That you should only talk to people in meatspace ? Well, I guess we're not living in the same reality here.