Managing Social Media Accounts When A Loved One Dies
Date posted April 2024
During difficult times, social media should be the least of your worries. The question as to what to do with a loved one’s digital accounts after they pass away may be one you’ve never even considered. Here we have laid out some simple steps to guide you through the different options available.
Where to start
You can begin by putting together a list of all the digital accounts belonging to your loved one. This may include social media profiles, email accounts, and any other online platforms they might have been active on.
Do also be sure to consult your loved one’s will. It is not uncommon for people to include specific instructions about the management of their digital accounts.
Exploring your options
Once you have compiled a list of your loved one’s accounts, you can start to consider the different options available to you:
1. Deleting and unpublishing accounts
You may decide to delete or unpublish one of your loved one’s digital accounts. Deleting an account permanently removes it from the platform. While unpublishing it may make it inaccessible to others but preserve the data.
Before taking any action, consider backing up any important data stored on the platform, including photos, messages, or videos.
2. Keeping accounts open
You may feel more comfortable leaving your loved one’s digital accounts as they are. If this is the case, again consider backing up any important data. Some platforms have limits as to how long an account can remain inactive before it is permanently deleted.
3. Memorialising accounts
Many digital platforms offer the option to memorialise an account after the user has passed away.
Memorialisation keeps the profile as a place for friends and family to share their memories and condolences, while preventing anyone from logging into the account or making any changes.
What will you need?
Most online platforms have procedures in place for handling the accounts of users who have passed away. These procedures vary, so it is important to know how it works on each platform:
When Facebook is notified that a user has passed away, they will memorialise their account. Meta, the company that owns Facebook, will not share login details with anyone. In some cases, the account can be permanently deleted, but you will need to provide specific documentation to do so.
X, formerly Twitter
X will work with family members to deactivate the account of a user who has passed away. Once you submit your request, X will send an email with instructions on how to proceed. They will most likely need a copy of your ID, the death certificate, and some additional information about your loved one.
You can find the online form and further guidance in X’s Help Centre.
Instagram will memorialise an account after receiving a valid request. You can request memorialisation through an online form. If you’re an immediate family member, you can also request the account’s removal by providing proof of your relationship.
Google, including Gmail
Google will work with a family member to close the account of a user who has passed away. Their primary goal is to keep user data secure, so they do not disclose passwords or login details.
However, if you complete the necessary steps, Google may grant access to the account’s contents and can assist with closing and retrieving data from a loved one’s Gmail account.
Precious memories of your loved one
Managing the social media and digital accounts of a loved one after their passing is a sensitive yet important task. Whether you choose to delete, keep, or memorialize the accounts, remember to back up important data to preserve precious memories. By taking these steps, you can manage these digital assets in a way that honours your loved one’s memory and provides a space for friends and family to connect and remember.
If you’re looking for a funeral home in Bristol at this time, we’re here to help. Our team will guide you through the process of staging a service that celebrates and remembers your loved one. Contact us today for more information. Alternatively, you can find a wide variety of resources on our site, covering FAQs such as: Funeral Vehicles: What Are Your Options? and What Funeral Stationery Do I Need?
