What to Do with Your Loved One’s Social Media and Digital Accounts After Their Passing

 



In today’s world, much of our lives are online. From Facebook pages and Instagram memories to email accounts and online banking, the digital footprint someone leaves behind can be extensive. When a loved one passes, handling their online presence can feel overwhelming but it’s an important part of settling their affairs and protecting their legacy.

Here’s a guide to help you navigate this digital side of loss.

1. Take Time Before Taking Action

It’s okay not to rush. Many families find comfort in visiting a loved one’s social media page in the early days after their passing. These spaces often become digital memorials filled with photos, condolences, and memories. When you’re ready, you can begin to decide how you’d like to manage these accounts long-term.

2. Gather Information

Before contacting any online platforms, try to compile as much information as possible:

  • A list of the person’s email addresses and usernames

  • Passwords, if known (though never guess or hack, always follow proper channels)

  • Links to their social media profiles

  • Copies of the death certificate (most companies require this)

If your loved one left behind a digital estate plan or password manager, that’s the best place to start.

3. Decide What You Want to Happen

Each family handles digital legacies differently. You generally have three choices:

  • Keep the account active — allowing friends and family to visit and share memories.

  • Memorialize the account — many platforms, like Facebook, allow you to “freeze” the account while keeping content visible.

  • Delete the account — removing all content permanently.

There’s no right or wrong choice; it depends on what feels right for your family.

4. Platform-by-Platform Guidance

Here’s how a few major platforms handle deceased users’ accounts:

  • Facebook: You can request memorialization or removal. Memorialized profiles say “Remembering [Name]” and allow friends to share posts.

  • Instagram: Similar to Facebook (also owned by Meta), you can memorialize or remove accounts with proof of death.

  • X (Twitter): The company will deactivate accounts at the request of an immediate family member or executor.

  • Google (Gmail, YouTube, Drive): Google allows account deactivation through their “Inactive Account Manager,” or by submitting documentation to support.

  • Apple: Apple now offers “Legacy Contacts” who can access data with a key and proof of death.

  • LinkedIn: Profiles can be reported as deceased and removed upon verification.

5. Don’t Forget About Email and Subscriptions

After addressing social media, look at:

  • Email accounts – these often contain important documents and billing information.

  • Online banking and payment apps – PayPal, E-Transfer accounts, etc.

  • Streaming or subscription services – Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, etc.

Contacting customer service for each company and providing necessary documentation helps ensure no unauthorized activity occurs.

6. Protect Their Privacy

Avoid posting login details or private messages online. If your loved one’s account is hacked or misused, report it immediately. Treat their digital life with the same care and respect as their personal belongings.

7. Plan Ahead for Yourself

One of the best ways to help your family later is to plan now. Consider:

  • Naming a digital executor in your will.

  • Storing account information in a secure password manager.

  • Setting up Legacy Contact options on Facebook, Google, and Apple.

This helps ensure your own online presence is handled the way you’d want.

A Gentle Reminder

Grieving in the digital age can be both comforting and complicated. Social media allows memories to live on, but it can also make loss feel constant. Whatever you decide to do with your loved one’s accounts, take your time, there’s no deadline on remembering someone.

From the Director’s Desk
At Turner Family Funeral Home, we understand that settling a loved one’s affairs means more than paperwork and services, it’s also about preserving their stories and protecting their memory, both online and off.

If you ever need guidance during this process, our team is always here to help.

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