Social Media Resources

Losing a loved one can make managing their digital presence feel overwhelming.


We’ve compiled information to help guide you through the process of either having their social media accounts memorialized or permanently removed, so you can make decisions that honor their memory and provide peace of mind.


Remember, you don't have to do anything.


You don’t have to remove or memorialize social media accounts if you don’t want to. Some people are more comfortable leaving them as they are, while other people feel closure from removing or memorializing their loved one’s accounts. If you do decide to leave the account as it is, you should download any photos or messages you would like to keep, as some platforms do have rules for on how long an account can remain inactive before it is deleted.


Facebook

Memorializing the account:

Memorialized accounts serve as a digital space for friends and family to come together and reminisce about a loved one who has passed away. By memorializing an account, Facebook ensures its security by preventing unauthorized access.


Facebook's policy dictates that upon being notified of a user's passing, the account will be memorialized. This status change alters the account's accessibility and functionality. For further details on the specifics of what happens to a memorialized account, please refer to our guidelines.


However, it's important to note that we are unable to provide login credentials for another person's account, even in such circumstances. Accessing another individual's account violates Facebook's policies.


If you wish to report a profile for memorialization, please reach out to us, and we'll assist you through the process.


Removing the account:

Verified immediate family members may request the removal of a loved one’s account from Facebook.


Memorialization/Removal Link: https://www.facebook.com/help/1111566045566400/

*Information sourced from Facebook


Instagram

If you see an account on Instagram that belongs to someone who's passed away, you can report it to us for memorialization. If you're an immediate family member of that person, you can request the account be removed from Instagram.


Memorializing the account:

We'll memorialize the Instagram account of a deceased person when we receive a valid request. We try to prevent references to memorialized accounts from appearing on Instagram in ways that may be upsetting to the person's friends and family, and we also take measures to protect the privacy of the deceased person by securing the account.


To report an account to be memorialized, please contact us. We require proof of death, such as a link to an obituary or news article, to memorialize an account.


Please keep in mind that we can't provide login information for a memorialized account. It's always against our policies for someone to log into another person's account.


Removing the account:

Verified immediate family members may request the removal of a loved one’s account from Instagram. When you submit a request for removal, we require proof that you're an immediate family member of the deceased person, such as:

  • The deceased person's birth certificate
  • The deceased person's death certificate
  • Proof of authority under local law that you are the lawful representative of the deceased person, or his/her estate

* Information sourced from Instagram*


Memorialization/Removal Link: https://help.instagram.com/264154560391256/

Twitter

Deceased User

In the event of the death of a Twitter user, we can work with a person authorized to act on behalf of the estate, or with a verified immediate family member of the deceased to have an account deactivated.


Request the removal of a deceased user's account. After you submit your request, we will email you with instructions for providing more details, including information about the deceased, a copy of your ID, and a copy of the deceased’s death certificate. This is a necessary step to prevent false and/or unauthorized reports. Be assured that this information will remain confidential and will be deleted once we've reviewed it.


Note: We are unable to provide account access to anyone regardless of their relationship to the deceased. Read more information about media on Twitter concerning a deceased family member.


Incapacitated User

In the event a Twitter user is incapacitated, due to medical or other reasons, we can work with a person authorized to act on the behalf of the user to have an account deactivated.


Request the removal of an incapacitated user's account. After you submit your request, we will email you with instructions for providing more details, including information about the user, a copy of your ID, a copy of the account holder’s ID, and a copy of a Power of Attorney authorizing you to act on the account holder’s behalf. This is a necessary step to prevent false and/or unauthorized reports. Be assured that this information will remain confidential and will be deleted once we've reviewed it.

*Information Sourced from Twitter*


Removal Link: https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/contact-x-about-a-deceased-family-members-account

Google

Googles ‘Inactive Account Manager’ service allows a user to decide what happens to their account when they die. This service includes Gmail, YouTube and Google+ accounts.

Inactive Account Manager allows a user to:

  • Decide when Google should consider the account inactive
  • Choose to share data with a nominated contact after a certain period (photos, emails etc)
  • Decide if their inactive Google Account should be deleted

Google will request a phone number from the deceased. They will contact this phone number multiple times before they take any action to deactivate or delete an account. The nominated contact will receive notification that your account has been inactive, when the for the duration of time the user had set has passed.

Many people pass away without leaving clear instructions for how to manage their online accounts, and will not have set up Inactive Account Manager. In which case, Google will work with immediate family members of the deceased to close the Google account, where appropriate. In some cases, Google may also provide content from a deceased’s user account.


To close the account of a deceased user, complete this online form. The form will require you to provide the following information:

  • Full name of the deceased person
  • Email address of the deceased person
  • Your full name (as a relative or legal representative)
  • Your email address
  • Your relationship to the deceased person
  • Your postcode and country
  • The date of the deceased’s death

You will be also asked to upload a scanned copy of your ID or driver’s license and your loved one’s death certificate.

Google says that will satisfy a request about a deceased user, after a careful review.


Removal Link: https://support.google.com/accounts/troubleshooter/6357590?hl=en


LinkedIn

When a loved one passes away, you can either leave their LinkedIn account open or close it.

LinkedIn allows you to close the account of a loved one who has died using an online form. LinkedIn asks you for the following information:

  • The member’s name
  • The URL to their LinkedIn profile
  • Your relationship to them
  • Member’s email address
  • The date the member passed away
  • Link to an obituary


Once LinkedIn has reviewed your submitted form, they will contact you to confirm their actions.

Snapchat

Snapchat will delete your loved one’s account if you provide them with a copy of their death certificate. To submit a request for an account to be deleted, complete this contact us form.

Pinterest

Similar to Twitter and LinkedIn, Pinterest does not offer memorial pages.


To deactivate a loved one’s account, Pinterest advice you complete their online contact form. They will also ask you to provide proof of death and proof of your relationship with the deceased. When you deactivate an account, the person’s profile and boards won’t be visible on Pinterest anymore.


Pinterest does not delete inactive accounts after a period of time, so if you choose to leave it open, your loved one’s account will remain as it is.