Your social media profiles are a window into your life. Photos, memories, messages, and conversations are archived there. What happens to them after your death? Policies vary considerably from platform to platform. Here's a comprehensive overview, with practical advice on how to prepare.
Facebook and Instagram (Meta)
Facebook offers two options for deceased users' accounts:
Account memorialization: the profile is transformed into a commemorative page. The phrase "Remembering" appears before the name, existing posts are preserved, and loved ones can continue to share memories on the timeline. Only a "legacy contact" can manage certain aspects of the memorialized profile.
Account removal: loved ones can request complete account deletion with a death certificate.
How to designate a legacy contact: Settings > Personal Information > Account Management > Legacy Contact. This contact can accept friend requests, manage pinned posts and the memorialized profile's timeline posts, but cannot read your private messages.
Tip: set up a legacy contact now. If you prefer deletion, indicate this explicitly in your settings and inform your loved ones.
Instagram doesn't yet have a legacy contact feature. Two options exist:
- Memorialization: the account becomes a space for remembrance, visible but not editable
- Deletion: upon request from a loved one with proof of death
To request either option, loved ones must fill out a special form on Instagram's website.
Twitter / X
Twitter (now X) allows loved ones to request account deactivation with proof of death. There is no official memorialization or legacy contact feature.
Some accounts of deceased people are kept active by loved ones who knew the credentials, or are closed at the family's request.
Tip: if you want your account closed, leave explicit instructions and share your credentials securely (via EchoPass, for example).
LinkedIn allows a loved one or colleague to report a member's death. The profile is then deactivated. LinkedIn doesn't offer memorialization.
If you have a significant professional network on LinkedIn, consider what you'd like to happen to that social capital.
TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat
TikTok: account deletion can be requested by loved ones with proof of death. No memorialization.
YouTube: videos can be preserved if loved ones know the credentials. Google's Inactive Account Manager lets you designate beneficiaries (see our article on what happens to online accounts after death).
Snapchat: accounts are deactivated upon request from a loved one. Snaps and messages are not accessible to third parties.
Pinterest, Reddit, Other Platforms
Most platforms allow deletion upon request with proof of death. Few offer memorialization options.
How to Prepare Your Social Media Now
1. Inventory Your Accounts
List all your active social networks. Think about accounts you created and forgot: old forums, early social platforms, etc.
2. Decide What Should Happen to Each Account
For each network, decide whether you prefer memorialization or deletion. Write down your preferences.
3. Designate Legacy Contacts
On platforms that allow it (Facebook), designate a trusted legacy contact and inform them of their role.
4. Prepare Access Information
If you want your loved ones to be able to manage your accounts (archive photos, download your data), they'll need your credentials. Store them securely in a service like EchoPass, which will transmit them automatically at the right time.
5. Download Your Data
Use the data download tools offered by each network (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter all offer data exports) to create a personal archive of your posts and photos.
The Posthumous Social Media Message
Some people wish to leave a final message to their online community. This is possible by preparing a message in advance in EchoPass, which will be transmitted to a trusted loved one with instructions to publish it.
To go further, read our guide on how to write a posthumous message.