By Joe.

In today’s digital age, a person’s social media presence often continues to exist after their passing. Managing these accounts—whether by memorializing, deleting, or securing them—is an important step in digital legacy planning.

This guide will walk you through how to handle Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and other social media accounts after someone passes away, ensuring their online presence is managed with dignity.

“Managing Social Media Accounts After Death | Memorialization & Removal Guide”

“Learn how to memorialize, delete, or manage social media accounts after death. Step-by-step guide for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and more.”

Why Social Media Account Management Matters After Death

✔️ Prevent Identity Theft – Hackers often target inactive accounts.
✔️ Respect Digital Legacy – Loved ones may want to preserve memories.
✔️ Reduce Emotional Distress – Prevent unnecessary reminders or unwanted notifications.
✔️ Follow Legal & Platform Policies – Each platform has rules for handling accounts after death.

💡 Tip: Creating a digital will can make managing online accounts easier for family members.

How to Handle Social Media Accounts After Death

1. Memorializing vs. Deleting Accounts

Most social media platforms offer two primary options after a user’s passing:

• Memorialization – The account remains visible, often with a “Remembering” tag, allowing friends and family to post tributes.
• Deletion – The account is permanently removed from the platform.

💡 Tip: Some platforms allow users to designate a legacy contact before passing, making it easier for family members to manage the account.

How to Manage Social Media Accounts on Different Platforms

Facebook (Meta)

Options: Memorialize or Delete

Steps to Memorialize:

1. Go to Facebook Memorialization Request
2. Provide the deceased person’s name and profile link.
3. Upload proof of death (e.g., death certificate or obituary).

Steps to Delete:

1. Visit the Facebook Account Removal Request.
2. Submit proof of death and your relationship to the deceased.
3. Wait for Facebook to process the request.

💡 Tip: If the user selected a Legacy Contact, that person can manage the memorialized profile.

Instagram

Options: Memorialize or Delete

Steps to Memorialize:

1. Go to Instagram Memorialization Request.
2. Provide proof of death (e.g., obituary or death certificate).

Steps to Delete:

1. Submit a Deletion Request.
2. Provide necessary legal documents.

💡 Tip: Instagram does not allow legacy contacts, so all actions must be requested by family members or estate representatives.

Twitter (X)

Option: Account Removal Only

Twitter does not offer a memorialization option. The only available action is deletion.

Steps to Delete:

1. Go to the Twitter Privacy Form.
2. Select “Request removal of a deceased user’s account.”
3. Provide documentation (death certificate and proof of identity).

💡 Tip: Twitter does not give login access to anyone, even family members.

LinkedIn

Option: Account Removal Only

Steps to Delete a LinkedIn Profile:

1. Visit the LinkedIn Memorialization Request.
2. Submit information, including proof of death and relationship to the deceased.

💡 Tip: LinkedIn profiles can also be archived by family members before deletion.

YouTube & Google Accounts

Google accounts (Gmail, YouTube, Drive, etc.) are managed under the Google Inactive Account Manager feature.

Steps to Delete or Manage a Google Account:

1. Visit the Google Account Help Page.
2. Provide legal proof of death.
3. If the deceased set up an Inactive Account Manager, their designated contact can access the account.

💡 Tip: YouTube channels can be left as a memorial or deleted upon request.

TikTok

Option: Account Removal Only

TikTok does not have a memorialization feature.

Steps to Delete:

1. Contact TikTok Support through their Help Center.
2. Submit proof of death and your relationship to the deceased.

💡 Tip: If the deceased user’s account was public, their videos will still be visible unless removed.

Preparing for Digital Legacy Management

To make handling social media accounts easier, individuals can plan ahead by:

✅ Setting Up a Legacy Contact – Available on Facebook and Google.
✅ Creating a Digital Will – Outlines how social media should be handled.
✅ Storing Login Details Securely – Use a password manager or share access with a trusted individual.
✅ Informing Family Members – Let loved ones know your preferences.

💡 Tip: Some companies offer digital estate planning services to manage online accounts after death.

Final Thoughts: Managing Social Media After Death

Handling social media accounts after death requires careful steps to protect the deceased’s digital identity. Whether you choose to memorialize, delete, or archive accounts, it’s essential to follow each platform’s guidelines.

✅ Memorialization keeps the account visible for tributes.
✅ Deleting removes the account permanently to prevent misuse.
✅ Planning ahead ensures a smooth digital transition.