When a loved one dies, the emotional burden is immense. And yet, dozens of practical steps cannot wait: canceling subscriptions, closing accounts, notifying institutions. Digital procedures add to an already long list. This practical guide helps loved ones navigate this difficult stage.
Within the First 48 Hours
What Cannot Wait
Some actions must be taken quickly to avoid financial complications or fraud:
Secure financial accounts: if you have access to the deceased's banking credentials (via a dead man's switch or a prepared document), secure the accounts. Notify the bank of the death so it can temporarily freeze suspicious activity while allowing legitimate urgent payments.
Suspend auto-renewing subscriptions: some subscriptions (hosting, SaaS, domain names) renew automatically and can generate unnecessary expenses. Identify the most costly ones first.
Secure physical access: if the deceased had web hosting or server accounts, ensure critical services remain online (or are properly shut down) to avoid data loss.
What Can Wait a Few Days
Closing social media accounts, streaming services, and everyday apps can wait until you are ready.
Obtaining the Necessary Documents
For most official digital procedures, you will need:
- A death certificate (issued by the civil registry where the death occurred)
- Proof of your status as an heir (notarial attestation, certificate of heirship, or probate document depending on jurisdiction)
- Your own identification document
Some services accept these documents by email as PDF. Others require a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
Steps Platform by Platform
Banks and Financial Institutions
Step 1: Contact customer service to report the death and request protection against fraudulent activity.
Step 2: Send the death certificate and proof of heir status by registered mail.
Step 3: Wait for the legal release process (several weeks to months depending on jurisdiction).
Funds are not lost: they become part of the legal estate. The bank holds them until the succession procedure is resolved.
Google and Gmail
Via Google's deceased user request form:
- Account closure
- Download of certain data (if pre-authorized by the deceased via Inactive Account Manager)
If the deceased had configured the Inactive Account Manager with you as a designated contact, you will automatically receive an email with access instructions.
Apple
If the deceased had activated Apple Digital Legacy and designated you as a legacy contact:
- Go to appleid.apple.com
- Click "Request Access" with the digital legacy key you received
- Provide the death certificate
Without a prior designation, Apple requires a court process to access data.
Facebook and Instagram (Meta)
Option 1: Memorialization: the page becomes a memorial page. Friends can still post on it, but no one can log in.
Option 2: Deletion: request complete account deletion via the special request form for a deceased user.
If a legacy contact had been designated, that person can manage the memorial account.
Twitter/X
Twitter allows you to request deactivation of a deceased person's account by providing a death certificate and proof of family relationship via their support form.
LinkedIn allows you to report a member's death and request deletion or memorialization of their profile via a dedicated form.
PayPal and Similar Payment Services
Contact PayPal support with the death certificate to request account closure and transfer of the balance to heirs (via the legal succession process).
Subscriptions to Cancel in Order of Priority
Some subscriptions generate significant recurring costs:
High priority:
- Web hosting and domain names (can generate substantial fees if not canceled)
- Professional SaaS subscriptions
- Insurances you are not entitled to as an heir
Medium priority:
- Streaming (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+)
- Software subscriptions (Adobe, Microsoft 365)
- Cloud services (Dropbox, iCloud with paid storage)
Low priority:
- Video games and apps
- Paid newsletters
- Low-cost services
What You Can Temporarily Keep
Some access is useful to maintain during the succession period:
The primary email: you can receive important communications, invoices, and access to other accounts.
Cloud services: to retrieve important photos, documents, and files before archiving them.
Content platforms: if the deceased had an audience or online content, hasty closure can cause the irreplaceable loss of resources.
The Role of a Dead Man's Switch in These Procedures
If the deceased had configured a dead man's switch like EchoPass, you have probably received an automatic message containing the information you need.
A well-prepared EchoPass message can include:
- A list of all accounts and subscriptions to manage
- Credentials needed to access them
- Specific instructions for each service
- Important contacts (attorney, notary, bank)
- Final wishes regarding digital data
This message transforms a desperate search into a clear list of actions. It is one of the most concrete values of good digital succession preparation.
Avoiding Post-Death Scams
Unfortunately, scammers target grieving families. Be wary of:
- Emails claiming the deceased has an account somewhere with a balance to recover
- Phone calls asking for financial information "for the succession"
- Paid services promising to retrieve data or close accounts on your behalf
Official procedures are conducted directly with the relevant platforms, generally at no cost.
Prepare your loved ones' digital succession with EchoPass before this guide becomes necessary.