Steps to Take to Manage Digital Accounts After a Loved One’s Passing

When a loved one passes, addressing their social media accounts is a crucial step in safeguarding their digital presence and providing closure for family and friends.

Here’s a detailed guide on handling all of their digital accounts including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, Email Providers, WhatsApp, and YouTube.

Memorializing a Facebook account keeps it active as a tribute, with “Remembering” added beside the person’s name.

This allows friends to share memories on the profile, while preventing the account from appearing in friend suggestions or birthday reminders.

Steps to memorialize a Facebook account:

1. Submit a Request: Go to the Facebook Memorialization Request page to fill out the form.
   
   
2. Provide Documentation: You’ll need proof of death, such as an obituary or death certificate.
   
   
3. Legacy Contact: If the person assigned a Legacy Contact (a trusted person who can manage certain aspects of the memorialized profile), this contact can post a pinned tribute and manage friend requests, but cannot log into the account or change posts and settings.

Facebook also allows for the permanent deletion of an account if you prefer not to memorialize it.

Steps to delete a Facebook account:

1. Complete the Special Request for Deceased Person’s Account: Go to the Facebook Account Deletion Request page.
   
   
2. Upload Required Documents: You’ll need a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
   
   
3. Approval: Once the request is approved, the account will be permanently deleted, and all posts, photos, and other content will be removed.

Instagram allows memorialization of an account to keep the photos and posts visible to followers. The account will not appear in public spaces, such as the Explore page.

Steps to memorialize an Instagram account:

1. Submit a Memorialization Request: Visit the Instagram Memorialization Request page.
   
   
2. Provide Proof of Death: Attach a death certificate, obituary, or news article confirming the individual’s passing.
   
   
3. Approval Process: Instagram will review the request and notify you once the account is memorialized. Memorialized accounts cannot be modified, and no new posts can be added.

For families who prefer the account be taken down, Instagram provides a process to permanently delete the profile.

Steps to delete an Instagram account:

1. Submit a Removal Request: Go to the Instagram Account Removal page.
   
   
2. Documentation: You’ll need to provide proof of your relationship and a copy of the death certificate.
   
   
3. Confirmation: After verification, Instagram will permanently delete the account, along with all associated content.

Twitter currently does not offer a memorialization option but does allow the account of a deceased person to be deactivated.

Steps to deactivate a Twitter account:

1. Fill Out the Deactivation Request Form: Access Twitter’s Deactivation Request form for deceased users.
   
   
2. Provide Proof of Death and Relationship: You’ll need a death certificate and proof of your relationship (such as a legal document or identification linking you to the deceased).
   
   
3. Submit the Request: Twitter’s support team will review the form and deactivate the account. Once deactivated, the account and all tweets will no longer be visible.

LinkedIn allows for the complete closure of a deceased person’s profile, removing all professional connections and activity.

Steps to close a LinkedIn account:

1. Submit a Request to Close the Account: Go to LinkedIn’s Deceased Member Verification form.
   
   
2. Required Information: Provide the full name and LinkedIn profile URL of the deceased, along with their email address and proof of death (death certificate, obituary, or news article).
   
   
3. Verification Process: LinkedIn may also ask for your information and relationship to the deceased. Once verified, the profile and connections will be permanently removed.

Snapchat makes it easy to delete an account, even without prior access to the app. If you have the username and password, you can begin the deactivation process.

Steps to deactivate a Snapchat account:

1. Visit the Snapchat Account Portal: Go to Snapchat’s account portal.
   
   
2. Enter Username and Password: Log in using their credentials.
   
   
3. Deactivate: Follow the prompts. The account will be in deactivation status for 30 days.
   
   
4. Permanent Deletion: After 30 days, the account will be permanently deleted, making it inaccessible to other users.

During the 30-day deactivation, no one can interact with the account.

Pinterest does not offer a memorialization option. However, anyone with the necessary documentation can request account deletion.

Steps to delete a Pinterest account:

1. Email Pinterest Support: Send a request to care@pinterest.com.
   
   
2. Include Required Information:
   • Your full name
   • The deceased’s full name and email address
   • A link to their Pinterest account (if known)
   • Proof of death (e.g., death certificate)
   • Proof of your relationship (e.g., family tree, birth/marriage certificate)

Once processed, the account will be permanently deleted.

If their Pinterest account is connected to other platforms like Google or Facebook, deactivate Pinterest first before closing those accounts.

YouTube accounts can either remain active or be closed, depending on your preference. The process differs based on whether you have the account password.

If You Know the Password:

1. Log into Their Google Account: YouTube accounts are linked to Google accounts.
   
   
2. Access Data Tools: Go to “Data tools” in the account settings.
   
   
3. Delete Google+ Profile and Features: Select “Remove selected services” to delete YouTube along with other Google services.

If You Don’t Have the Password:

1. Visit Google Support: Go to the Google support page for deceased accounts.
   
   
2. Enter Required Information: Provide the deceased’s full name, email, date of birth, and your relationship.
   
   
3. Upload Documentation: Include a death certificate and identification.

Once approved, Google will close the YouTube account.

TikTok currently doesn’t offer a memorialization option for deceased users. However, if a loved one has passed away and you wish to delete their account, you can do so if you have access to their login credentials.

• Log In to the Account: Access the deceased person’s TikTok account using their username and password.
  
  
• Go to Profile Settings: Click on the profile icon in the bottom right, then select the three dots (or lines) in the top right corner to open the settings menu.
  
  
• Select ‘Manage Account’: In the settings menu, go to “Manage Account.”
  
  
• Choose ‘Delete Account’: Follow the prompts, which may ask for a reason for deletion.
  
  
• Confirm Account Deletion: TikTok will ask you to confirm the deletion.
  
  Once confirmed, the account will be deactivated and permanently deleted after 30 days.

Currently, TikTok does not provide an official process for deleting a deceased person’s account without login access. However, you can contact TikTok’s support team and explain the situation.

Include as much information as possible, such as proof of death, relationship to the deceased, and any necessary documents. While this approach may not guarantee deletion, TikTok support may be able to assist or advise further.

Managing a TikTok account for a deceased person ensures their digital privacy and helps family and friends find closure by securing or removing the account from public view.

If a loved one has passed away and their WhatsApp account is still active, you may wish to delete it to prevent any further messages and to remove them from group chats.

1. Access the Deceased’s Phone: Open WhatsApp on the device where the account is logged in.
   
   
2. Go to Settings > Account: In the settings menu, select “Account.”
   
   
3. Choose ‘Delete My Account’: Tap on this option to initiate the deletion process.
   
   
4. Enter the Phone Number: When prompted, enter the phone number linked to the WhatsApp account.
   
   
5. Select a Reason (Optional): Choose a reason for deleting the account if requested.
   
   
6. Confirm Deletion: Tap “Delete My Account” to confirm and permanently remove the account.

Once the WhatsApp account is deleted, the user will be removed from all groups, and their account cannot be restored.

Keep in mind that any messages or media shared by the deceased with other users will still remain visible in their chats. Deleting the WhatsApp account helps secure their digital presence and ensures privacy.

Email accounts often hold personal and sensitive information, making it essential to secure them. Here’s how to manage Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft accounts.

For Gmail, you can request to close the account or access data if you are the next of kin or have legal authority.

Steps to manage a Gmail account:

1. Submit Google’s Deceased User Form: Complete the Gmail request form for deceased accounts.
   
   
2. Include Documentation: Upload a death certificate and proof of your relationship.
   
   
3. Follow Up with Google: Google will review your request and contact you with instructions.

Anyone can contact Yahoo to report a death and close the account, but specific documents are required.

Steps to close a Yahoo account:

1. Write a Request Letter: Include a letter stating your request to close the account.
   
   
2. Provide Necessary Details:
   • Yahoo ID (first part of the email before “@”)
   • Copy of the death certificate.
     
     
3. Send to Yahoo: Please send the requested information to us at the following address:

   Concierge Executive Escalations
   Yahoo
   11955 Democracy Dr
   Reston, VA 20190-5662

Microsoft has a “Next of Kin” process for closing accounts used by a deceased person.

Steps to close a Microsoft email account:

1. Prepare Necessary Documents:
   • Death certificate and your proof of identity if not listed in the will.
   • Full name, email address, and date of birth of the deceased.
     
     
2. Request via Email: Email Microsoft to request account closure.
   
   
3. Account Contents: Microsoft will send a DVD with account data (emails, attachments, contacts) if requested.

Microsoft cannot provide login details, change passwords, or transfer account ownership, but they will securely delete the account and all related documents once the process is complete.

Taking control of a loved one’s digital legacy involves organizing documentation, understanding platform-specific processes, and considering digital estate planning for the future.

Managing these accounts helps secure their personal information and provides closure for family and friends.

For assistance, consider consulting with an estate professional familiar with digital accounts and data privacy.