Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy. In addition to the emotional turmoil, there are often many administrative tasks that must be handled, from notifying family and friends, to closing accounts, canceling services, and more. One issue that has become increasingly common in the digital age is determining what to do with a deceased person’s social media accounts.
Should you delete or memorialize the accounts?
When someone passes away, one of the first questions that arises regarding their social media presence is whether those accounts should be deleted or memorialized. There are pros and cons to both options.
Deleting the account erases their online presence and prevents anyone from accessing the profile or contents in the future. This may be preferable if the profile contains sensitive information or if the deceased expressly stated they did not want anyone accessing their accounts after death. However, deleting the account also means losing any photos, posts, or memories shared there. For friends and family members still grieving the loss, this can eliminate a way for them to connect with the deceased’s memory and with each other through those shared posts.
Memorializing the account preserves the profile while preventing anyone from logging in or making new posts after death. Facebook and Instagram both offer memorialization settings to convert accounts into “Remembering” pages. On Facebook, this prevents non-friends from sharing memories or leaving posts but allows confirmed friends and family to continue accessing posts and photos that were shared when the person was still alive. Memorialized accounts on Instagram remain visible to current followers but cannot be altered or accessed by anyone.
Memorializing can provide friends and family members a place to view memories, connect, and grieve together. However, some people prefer a “clean break” and do not want to be confronted with the deceased’s image and posts on an ongoing basis, so they opt for full deletion. There are reasonable arguments on both sides, so consider the deceased person’s preferences if they were stated and discuss options with close family members before deciding.
Who can request account deletion or memorialization?
Social media platforms have set requirements regarding who can request account deletion or memorialization on behalf of someone who has passed away. In most cases, sites will only accept requests from an immediate family member or executor of the estate.
For Facebook, the following people are authorized to submit requests:
- Immediate family members (parent, sibling, spouse/domestic partner, child)
- Other family members with verification of death (obituary, death certificate)
- Executor of estate with verification of death and appointment
For Twitter, account deletion or memorialization requests can be made by:
- Immediate family member
- Person authorized to act on behalf of estate
- Authorized representative of deceased person (with multiple proofs of authority/death)
Instagram allows the following people to manage memorialized accounts:
- Immediate family member
- Executor with estate documentation
Other sites like LinkedIn and Pinterest have similar policies restricting who can make changes to a deceased user’s account. Be prepared to provide documentation proving your relationship and authority if required.
How to delete accounts
If the decision is made to delete the account, most sites have forms and procedures in place specifically for requesting account removal after someone has passed away.
Facebook account deletion
Facebook provides a special form for requesting the removal of a deceased person’s account. You’ll need to provide your name, relationship to the deceased, and a link to an online obituary or news article reporting the death. After submitting the form, Facebook will reach out if any other verification is needed.
Twitter account deletion
For Twitter, you must submit a deletion request form and provide a copy of your ID, the deceased user’s death certificate, and their most recent Twitter billing statement or confirmation email from Twitter. After review, Twitter can delete the account.
Instagram account deletion
Instagram does not allow others to fully delete a person’s account. But you can request it be memorialized through this form. Provide your information, documentation of your relationship, and confirmation of death. Instagram will then memorialize the account.
LinkedIn account deletion
LinkedIn has a simple form to submit for deleting a deceased member’s account. You’ll enter the person’s profile URL, relation to deceased, and confirmation of death. LinkedIn staff will review and process the deletion.
Pinterest account deletion
Pinterest requires sending an email to [email protected] from the email address associated with the account or executor email. Provide confirmation of death and relation to deceased. Pinterest will close the account after review.
How to memorialize accounts
If choosing to memorialize rather than delete social media profiles, most platforms have dedicated tools for converting accounts.
Facebook memorialization
Facebook supports converting accounts into memorialized profiles. You’ll need to submit this special request form and provide confirmation of death. Facebook will then memorialize the profile so it remains viewable but not updateable.
Instagram memorialization
As noted above, Instagram requires memorializing (rather than full deletion) of deceased users’ accounts. Complete this form to provide your info, documentation, and request for memorialization.
LinkedIn memorialization
LinkedIn can memorialize member profiles through a simple form submission. Confirm relation to deceased and provide proof of death. The profile will become memorialized after review.
YouTube memorialization
YouTube allows converting a deceased user’s account into a memorialized channel. Submit this request form and provide confirmation of death. YouTube will memorialize the channel so it remains viewable.
Other account closure steps
Beyond the major social media platforms, the deceased may have accounts on many other sites that will need closing or removing. A few options:
- Submit contact forms requesting account deletion. Most sites have online forms for reporting deaths and closing accounts.
- Email customer service addresses asking for account removal and provide confirmation.
- If needed, get legal assistance. An estate attorney can send requests on the estate’s behalf.
Some accounts tied directly to financial assets or services may require extra steps with banks, credit card companies, utilities, etc. Consult professionals for guidance closing sensitive accounts.
Should someone take over account management?
In some cases, family members consider the possibility of taking over management of the deceased’s social media accounts, rather than deleting or memorializing them. Reasons may include:
- Preserving a legacy business page or account
- Maintaining an account as a memorial
- Updating friends/followers about arrangements
- Responding to incoming messages
However, most platforms prohibit allowing someone else to fully take over an account or pose as the deceased. Policies vary, but options may include:
- Memorialized account – As described above, memorialized accounts retain the profile and posts but disable further logins.
- Updating bio/name – Some sites let you note in the bio that the person has passed and the account is just memorial, or change the name to “Remembering [deceased’s name].”
- Legacy Contact – Facebook lets members assign a Legacy Contact to manage a memorialized profile. This person can pin posts, respond to friend requests, and update profile/cover photos.
Review each platform’s policies carefully before attempting any account takeover. Improper access could lead to accounts being deleted.
Things to consider when managing social accounts
When faced with handling a deceased loved one’s online presence, some factors to keep in mind:
- Wishes – Did they share any preferences for how they wanted accounts handled after death? honor any known wishes
- Content – Review the account content and posts. Delete anything private before memorializing
- Value – Assess the value of preserving or deleting. Weigh value of memories vs. pain of reminders
- Legacy – Would memorializing support the legacy they hoped to leave?
- Help – Don’t do it all alone. Discuss options with family and friends
- Timing – No need to rush. Give yourself time to grieve before making decisions
Other digital legacy issues
Social media accounts are just one aspect of someone’s digital legacy. A few other items to address:
- Email accounts – Consider closing, memorializing via autoreply, or notifying contacts.
- Online photos/videos – Download to preserve, or arrange for accounts to be closed
- Websites/blogs – Remove or memorialize sites owned by the deceased
- Online accounts – Address online banking, utilities, subscriptions, etc.
- Devices/files – Handle personally owned devices and digital files appropriately
- Digital estate plan – Had they outlined wishes for digital assets and accounts?
Managing these digital remains can be highly complex. Consider consulting a digital estate professional if the deceased had extensive online assets and accounts.
Get help from professionals as needed
Handling social media accounts after a death, along with other digital legacy issues, can quickly become overwhelming on top of grief. Don’t feel like you need to navigate it alone. It’s okay to ask for help:
- Social media providers – Contact them to understand memorialization policies
- Legal counsel – Lawyers can request closures on the estate’s behalf
- Probate courts – Can provide legal authority to execute person’s wishes
- Digital estate planners – Specialists in handling digital legacy management
- Family and friends – Talk through options and get input
With compassion and professional guidance when required, the task becomes much more manageable.
Conclusion
Losing someone close to you is painful enough without the burden of managing their digital footprint. But with some forethought about their likely wishes, review of account contents, and understanding of providers’ policies, you can thoughtfully archive their online presence in a way that feels right for you, other loved ones, and the deceased’s legacy.
Don’t rush to delete accounts in grief or keep them active as an unhealthy attachment. Talk to others close to them, honestly assess the value of preservation, and weigh options for memorializing versus removal. While the tasks involved can be difficult during such an emotional time, caring for someone’s digital legacy can also provide meaningful closure and comfort.