After the funeral, you might start to think about what to do with your loved one’s social media accounts. You generally have two options: closing the account or memorialising it.
Closing the account: permanently removes it from the platform
Memorialising: leaves the account online where existing posts remain visible to loved ones but no new content can be added.
Things to consider before memorialising or closing an account.
Begin by gathering information about the social media accounts they had.
While platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are common, they may have also used other sites. Checking their email for notifications or doing a quick online search using their name and any known aliases can help you find these accounts.
Take a moment to look through their posts, photos, and other content.
Closing an account is permanent, so consider saving anything meaningful. Alternatively, some platforms offer a memorialisation option that allows the account to remain visible to loved ones.
Remove private or sensitive information.
Inactive accounts can sometimes be vulnerable to hacking or other issues, so closing the account entirely may feel like the best option.
Steps to memorialise or close an account:
Each platform has its own process for either memorialising or closing an account, and this can vary widely. You’ll find the steps below for handling accounts on some of the most popular platforms.
You can choose to either memorialise or remove your deceased loved one’s Facebook account. Memorialising preserves the account which allows friends and family to share memories, while preventing anyone from logging in. Removing the account removes it entirely from Facebook.
To proceed with either option, you'll need to provide proof of death and your authority to manage the account. The easiest way to request is to submit a death certificate through Facebook’s support page.
If you don’t have a death certificate, you can submit a document proving your authority (such as power of attorney or a will) and one confirming the death (like an obituary). Ensure the information matches the account details before you proceed with the request.
Instagram also offers a way to memorialise a loved one's account after they’ve passed away. This keeps the account visible but locked, so no new posts can be made. To do this, you'll need to contact their support team and provide proof of death, like a death certificate. Instagram also works to protect the privacy of the deceased and to ensure the account doesn’t appear in ways that could be upsetting.
If you’d rather have the account removed, immediate family members can request this by providing documents such as a birth or death certificate or proof of legal authority. The account’s login information remains inaccessible to anyone, in line with Instagram’s policies.
Twitter/X
Twitter does not currently offer a memorialisation option, so deactivating the account is the only available step. While inactive accounts may eventually deactivate, it’s best to handle this directly. To get started, you will need to submit a form requesting the removal of a deceased user's account.
After your initial submission, Twitter will email you and ask for further details and documents such as a copy of your ID and the deceased’s death certificate to ensure the request is legitimate.
To close a deceased LinkedIn member's account, you must have legal authority. This process permanently removes the profile and may take up to 21 days. If you’re not authorised, you can request to memorialise the account which preserves the profile with a locked status.
You’ll need the member’s full name, LinkedIn profile URL, email, date of passing, a death certificate, and legal proof of authority, such as Letters of Administration or Testamentary. To begin the process, you will need to fill out a Contact form here.
Deciding what to do with a loved one’s social media accounts after they’ve passed is never easy, and it’s okay to take your time. Whether you choose to keep their accounts visible or close them entirely, the most important thing is that you make the decision that feels right for you and honours your loved one’s memory.
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