How to Close Online Accounts After a Loss

When dealing with your loved one’s accounts, keep in mind that some may need to stay open for a while. Email accounts, for example, should not be closed prematurely, as they may store important information or cherished memories.

For social media accounts, some families choose to keep a profile open as a memorial, or to convert it to a memorialized account.

Most states have instituted digital executors or trustees, who can access your loved one’s digital property.

Before closing any accounts, consider saving relevant content first.

Also, review memorialization options with each social media account. Some have specific settings for managing and interacting with personal accounts after passing.

Next Steps:

1. Account Assessment:
   • Identify the online accounts associated with your loved one, including email and social media.
2. Account Openness Timeline:
   • Decide which accounts need to stay open for a while, especially email accounts that may contain valuable information or cherished memories.
3. Memorialization Options:
   • For social media accounts, explore options like keeping the profile open as a memorial or converting it to a memorialized account.
4. Digital Executors or Trustees:
   • Check if your state has digital executors or trustees who can access your loved one's digital property. Consult with legal experts if needed.
5. Content Preservation:
   • Before closing any accounts, consider saving or downloading relevant content, such as emails, photos, or posts.
6. Types of Online Accounts to Address:
   • Address a range of online accounts, including but not limited to:
     • Email (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Microsoft Outlook, AOL)
     • Social Media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat)
     • Instant Messaging (e.g., WhatsApp, KiK, Viber, Signal).