Managing Social Media Accounts After a Loved One has Passed

With the popularity of social media and the impact it has on our lives, it is important to be able to manage these accounts after a loved one has passed. These accounts will remain active unless we deactivate or memorialize them for our loved ones. Deactivating an account completely shuts down the account while memorializing an account allows family and friends to view the profile, post pictures, memories, and tributes to your loved one.

To gain access to these various accounts to perform these actions of deactivation or memorialization, a password is required. If you do not have access to these passwords, you can try contacting the social media provider and explain the situation to them for ways to move forward. Moving forward it is important to keep your passwords stored on a secured document on your computer, or written down somewhere private.

Here is a list of some common platforms and the instructions to follow for each:

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

If you have any questions about this topic or would like to speak to someone further, you can contact Ocean County Funeral Service, here.