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Managing Social Media Accounts After a Loved One’s Death

By: Serena Tanner • Edited by: Erin Wallace • Subject Matter Expert Reviewed by: Carina Jenkins • 5 cited sources • Updated Oct 17, 2024

After the death of a loved one, it can feel like the list of things to do is endless. The last thing on your mind may be their social media accounts. However, this important task protects their privacy and digital legacy. Managing social media accounts after death is a largely personal decision and is influenced by what the platform lets you do.

Key Takeaways

• Your loved one’s digital footprint and information on their social media remain after death.
• Managing your loved one’s social media helps you protect sensitive data.
• The way each account is managed depends on the platform.

The Importance of Protecting Your Loved One’s Digital Legacy and Privacy

Someone’s digital legacy is the footprint they leave online after death, including their social media profiles. As a grieving relative, you can find comfort and closure by taking control of these accounts. You can preserve the memories left on them and ensure their accounts are left as they had them.

It isn’t just about preservation, though — an unmanaged account can increase the risks of identity theft, hacking, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. 

Getting Access to Social Media Accounts

The easiest way to access your loved one’s social media accounts is to plan ahead. Here are a couple options:

• Ensure a trusted family member has a list of passwords, logins, and two-factor authentication apps so they can access accounts after death.
• Most social media platforms have methods of accessing the accounts of loved ones after they pass. While each may differ, most would require you to have the name of the deceased, proof of their death, and proof of your relationship with them. 

How to Decide What to Do With Social Media Accounts of the Deceased

What to do with your loved one’s social media accounts is deeply personal. Weigh the pros and cons and decide what works best for your family. 

Reasons to Leave an Account Active

You may have several reasons to keep your loved one’s social media accounts active, including:

• Retaining access to their photos, posts, and videos.
• Maintaining contact with your loved one’s friends and family members to arrange a funeral, memorial, or future celebrations of life.
• Having it available for friends and family members to pay their respects to your loved one.

Reasons to Deactivate or Delete an Account

You may prefer to deactivate or delete an account instead. These reasons may include:

• Not having painful memories appear on social media.
• Not wanting people to post disrespectful or upsetting things on their profile.
• Not wanting their information to remain on the internet.

What to Do Before Contacting Social Media Platforms

Be sure you have important documents to back up your claims to the account before contacting social media platforms. Secure the deceased’s devices and accounts to prevent unauthorized access to the account and information. 

You’ll likely need documentation, such as the death certificate, their account information, and proof of your relationship to them to be granted access to their account.

There’s some potential for conflict if family members don’t agree on how to handle social media accounts or if the account had a significant following and financial value.

Carina Jenkins, Family Law Attorney

Carina Jenkins, a family law attorney, notes that you should avoid violating an estate plan, rights of other family members, or other legal obligations. Additionally, some people include wishes for their digital legacy in their estate plan, including naming a specific person authorized to handle their accounts after death. 

Understanding Social Media Policies Related to Death

Most social media platforms have policies on how to handle deceased users’ accounts. Research and understand these policies before beginning to navigate the process smoothly.

Tips for Managing a Loved One’s Social Media Account

How you manage your loved one’s social media accounts depends on the platform’s terms and conditions. Most allow for closing social media accounts after death. The main ones include:

• Facebook: You may either memorialize or delete a Facebook account after death. When you memorialize it, people can visit the account. Based on account settings, they may also be able to post on the deceased’s timeline. The account will no longer appear in public spaces or birthday reminders and no one can log into the account. You must submit a form to Facebook to either delete or memorialize the account^[1].
• Instagram: As Instagram is owned by Facebook, the approach to accounts on this platform is largely the same. You may either memorialize or request to delete the Instagram account^[2].
• X (Formerly Twitter): X does not allow for accounts to be memorialized, but does allow for the deactivation and removal of a profile for deceased users. Only people authorized to act on behalf of the estate or immediate family members may request the account be deactivated. This will require you to provide details such as a copy of the deceased’s death certificate and a copy of your ID^[3].
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn allows accounts to be hidden, deactivated, or memorialized. Anyone can report the user as deceased, which results in the profile being hidden. However, if you are authorized to act on behalf of the deceased, you can fill out an online form to deactivate or memorialize the profile^[4].
• TikTok: TikTok only allows people with access to the account to do anything with it. After death, you or any other family member cannot contact TikTok to memorialize or delete the account. 
• YouTube: Google owns YouTube and you will have to file your request to close their account through a Google form. You may need to provide information such as their name, date of death, a copy of their death certificate, and information about the requestor. This process will delete all Google-associated accounts for the deceased^[5].

Additional Online Accounts to Manage

Your loved one may have other online accounts that you may want to consider managing, including email inboxes, subscription services, and shopping accounts. Not only may they contain sensitive information, they could be charged automatically, which may create another issue to be resolved down the line. 

Your Loved One’s Online Accounts Are Part of Their Legacy

The social media accounts your loved one leaves behind are deeply personal and deserve to be tended to with care and respect. If you’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed, take your time and seek guidance and support from your inner circle. This emotionally difficult task can bring closure, especially if you choose to memorialize their accounts and preserve their content.

Written by Serena Tanner

Serena Tanner attended the University of Washington, where she earned a degree in philosophy after many detours delving into human rights, law, psychology, and social work. Health and holistic wellness topics continue to hold a special place in her heart. When she's not reading or writing, she can be found exploring the Pacific Northwest with her two children and dogs.

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Edited by Erin Wallace

Erin Wallace is an elementary school teacher and part-time freelance writer. She writes primarily on lifestyle topics, including the mental health space. Erin is also an avid reader and currently writing a book of her own. She loves baseball and lives in Massachusetts with her family.

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Subject Matter Expert Carina Jenkins

Carina has over 15 years of legal experience with a focus on estate planning, family and criminal law. She was a prosecutor before going into private practice. Since 2019 she has focused on providing services as a writer and legal subject matter expert. In her free time Carina enjoys skiing and reading fiction.