Managing Social Media Accounts After a Loved One Has Passed

You may be wondering what will happen to your loved one’s social media account now that they have passed. The information that is shared through these platforms will stay visible and active online until they are deactivated and shut down by someone who has access to login information and can do so.

If you do not have the login information needed to gain access to your loved one’s social media account, you can contact them directly and explain the situation. They will most likely ask for proof which may be a death certificate. If you do have login information and are unsure of how to close down these accounts, we have provided instructions for some of the common platforms to guide you through this process.

Twitter

1. Go to account settings & click on “Deactivate account” at the bottom of the page
2. Read over the deactivation information and click “okay”
3. Enter the password when prompted to verify the deactivation

Note: The deletion of the account can take up to 30 days as stated in the Privacy Policy. Also, content may still appear in Google and Bing after the deactivation which Twitter has no control over.

Facebook:

1. Click the account menu at the top right
2. Select “Settings”
3. Click “Security” in the left column
4. Choose “Deactivate Account” – then follow the steps to confirm

Memorialize: You have to have proof of death for the account holder (Death Certificate) – and submit a request to Facebook.

LinkedIn

1. Log into your loved one’s LinkedIn account
2. Put the cursor over the profile picture in the top right corner
3. Go down and click on “Privacy and Settings”
4. Re-enter the password if required and click “Account” on the left
5. Click “Close Account”
6. Confirm deletion of account

Instagram

1. Go to the – Delete your Account page (Link brings you directly to this page)
2. You must log in to continue with the deletion of the account
3. Select an option from the drop-down menu for the reason of deletion
4. Re-enter your password
5. Click “Permanently Delete Account”

Memorialize: You have to have proof of death for the account holder (Death Certificate) – and submit a request to Instagram

Considering how social media has become a part of many lives with its ability to keep family and friends in touch, serve for business purposes, and allow people to have an online presence/profile, it is likely your loved one was a part of these platforms.

Another nice way to close an account but allow visibility to friends and family is memorializing the account. Pictures and status’ will still be active and there will be an option to allow people to post messages to a loved one. If you are closing the account down for good, be sure to save all and any pictures you don’t want to lose. Once the account is gone, so is everything else that was stored there.