How to Memorialize a Social Media Profile

In today's digital age, our social media accounts are an integral part of our lives, often holding precious memories, personal connections, and a reflection of who we are. Whether you're looking to set clear instructions for your social media accounts before your passing or are a family member seeking to memorialize or deactivate a loved one's account after they've passed, this step-by-step guide will provide you with the necessary tools and processes. By taking proactive steps, you can ensure that your digital legacy is handled according to your wishes, and help your family navigate these emotional decisions with ease and clarity.

Below, we'll walk you through how to memorialize accounts across some of the most popular social media platforms, both with and without the account holder's password.

Memorializing a Loved One’s Social Media Account After Their Passing

1. Facebook:

Facebook offers a robust memorialization process, allowing you to either turn the account into a memorial or have it deleted entirely.

With the Password

If you have access to the person’s account, here’s how to memorialize it:

1. Log In to the Account: Access the Facebook account using the credentials.

2. Visit Account Settings: Go to "Settings & Privacy" and click on "Settings."

3. Request Memorialization: In the "General" tab, find "Manage Account" and select "Memorialization Request."

4. Confirm Details: Provide the required information, such as the death certificate, and Facebook will lock the account, making it viewable only to friends (depending on privacy settings).

Without the Password

If you don’t have the password, you can still request a memorialization by following these steps:

1. Submit a Request to Facebook: Go to Facebook’s help center and fill out a memorialization request form.

2. Provide Proof of Death: You’ll need to submit a death certificate or obituary to verify the passing.

3. Account Memorialization: Once verified, Facebook will lock the account and make it a place where friends and family can continue to share memories.

2. Instagram:

Instagram also allows accounts to be memorialized, providing a space for loved ones to continue honoring the person’s legacy.

With the Password

If you can log into the account:

1. Open Account Settings: Access the account and go to "Settings."

2. Request Memorialization: In the "Account" section, find the option to memorialize the account.

3. Confirmation: Submit necessary details, such as the death certificate, and Instagram will lock the account.

Without the Password

If you don’t have access to the password:

1. Go to Instagram Help Center: Navigate to the memorialization request page.

2. Provide Proof of Death: Just like Facebook, you’ll need to upload a death certificate or obituary.

3. Await Verification: Once Instagram verifies the information, they’ll memorialize the account. Instagram accounts that are memorialized can’t be logged into, and the profile will remain visible to the public or followers.

3. TikTok:

TikTok is one of the newest major social media platforms, and while it doesn't have a built-in "memorialization" feature in the same way as Facebook or Instagram, you can still request the account be handled in a respectful manner.

With the Password

If you have access to the person’s TikTok:

1. Contact TikTok Support: Email TikTok or visit their help center to request that the account be memorialized.

2. Submit Documentation: Provide proof of death (such as a death certificate or obituary) to help TikTok verify the request.

3. Account Memorialization: Once TikTok verifies the request, the account will be locked, and no new content can be posted. The profile and existing videos will remain visible for followers.

Without the Password

If you don’t have access to the account but wish to memorialize it:

1. Reach Out to TikTok Support: You’ll need to contact TikTok’s support team via their help center.

2. Provide Proof: TikTok will ask for documentation to confirm the person’s passing. This might include a death certificate or obituary.

3. Account Locked: Once the request is processed and verified, TikTok will memorialize the account, preserving the content but preventing any future edits or uploads.

4. Twitter:

Twitter, while not offering a formal memorialization feature, allows the family of the deceased to request the account be deactivated or closed. If the family prefers, they can also opt to leave the account active for others to see the posts and legacy.

Without the Password

If you do not have the account’s login credentials, you can request account removal:

1. Contact Twitter Support: Visit the help center and file a request to deactivate the account.

2. Provide Proof of Death: Include documentation such as a death certificate, obituary, or other supporting details.

3. Account Deactivation: Twitter will review your request and, if approved, deactivate or delete the account.

5. Snapchat:

Snapchat offers a different approach but still allows accounts to be memorialized after death. Unfortunately, Snapchat doesn’t allow you to memorialize an account automatically without the password. However, you can request deletion.

1. Contact Snapchat Support: Reach out through Snapchat’s help center with proof of death.

2. Submit Documentation: Provide the required documents (death certificate, etc.).

3. Request Deletion: Ask for the account to be deleted from Snapchat, and they will process the request.

6. LinkedIn:

LinkedIn is a professional platform that many use to build their careers, so memorializing an account can serve as a tribute to their work and achievements.

With the Password

If you have the credentials:

1. Visit Account Settings: Access the person’s account and go to the settings page.

2. Request Memorialization: LinkedIn allows you to set the account to an inactive state or simply lock the account to prevent further use.

Without the Password

If you don’t have access:

1. Contact LinkedIn Support: Submit a memorialization request through the help center.

2. Provide Proof: You will need a death certificate or obituary.

3. Review Process: LinkedIn will confirm the information before memorializing the account.

7. YouTube:

For YouTube, the process is very similar to the other platforms, though you can choose to keep the channel active for others to view the content or have it deleted entirely.

1. Contact YouTube Support: Use the help center to submit a memorialization request.

2. Provide Documentation: Send proof of death, such as an obituary or death certificate.

3. Account Handling: You can request either to keep the account active or have it deleted.

Setting Clear Social Media Memorialization Wishes for Your Own Accounts

While it can be challenging to handle the online presence of a loved one after their death, the good news is that there are steps you can take to prepare for your own digital legacy before passing away. Here’s how to take control of your online presence:

A. Set Up Legacy Contacts and Password Managers

One of the best ways to ensure your family can memorialize or manage your social media accounts after your death is by setting up a legacy contact or using a password manager. Here’s how:

• Legacy Contacts: Platforms like Facebook allow users to designate a legacy contact. This person will be responsible for handling your account after your passing. The legacy contact can manage things like posting a final message, updating your profile picture, and responding to friend requests. This contact will not be able to access private messages or log into your account but can act as a steward of your online presence.

• Password Managers: Using a password manager to securely store your social media account passwords is another way to ensure your family can access your profiles when needed. You can designate a trusted person to have access to this information in the event of your death, giving them the ability to manage your online profiles without the hassle of dealing with customer service or having to go through complicated authentication processes.

B. Leave Clear Instructions on What to Do with Your Accounts

You don’t have to leave it all up to chance. Writing down your preferences for your social media profiles in a will or another legal document can help guide your loved ones. Some decisions you might want to consider include:

• Do you want your accounts memorialized or deleted after your death?

• Are there specific photos, posts, or updates you’d like your family to share?

• Would you prefer that all posts remain private, or do you want people to continue to post on your profile in memory of you?

• If you want to donate your social media profiles to a specific cause (for example, encouraging people to donate to charity instead of sending flowers), be sure to include these instructions as well.

You can also make these wishes part of your broader estate planning. Working with a lawyer to include digital assets (such as social media accounts) in your estate plan ensures that your wishes are legally recognized.

C. Use Built-In Tools for Memorializing

Many social media platforms offer tools that let you set memorialization preferences while you’re still alive. For example, Facebook lets users select a legacy contact who can manage their account after death. Instagram allows users to set up memorialization requests ahead of time. Take advantage of these tools to provide clear instructions about how you want your social media presence handled.