How to Delete Online Accounts of a Dead Person: Step-by-Step Guide

With approximately 67 million people passing away each year, the fate of their online accounts becomes a pressing concern.

Estimates suggest that deceased Facebook users may outnumber the living in the next 50 years. Left untouched, these accounts pose risks to financial security and privacy. The same goes for email accounts associated with sensitive apps, Instagram, X, Reddit, and other online platforms. 

This guide explores step-by-step how to delete online accounts of a dead person on various platforms and deal with their digital assets and data.

The specific steps for the most popular online platforms are outlined below, but the general requirements are fairly similar across the board:

For closing a deceased person’s accounts, gather:

• The death certificate
• Legal documentation proving the relationship with the deceased

Access to the email, passwords, and any relevant legal documents is essential for initiating this process.

It helps to have a list of all accounts, too.

Identifying and Documenting Online Accounts

Discovering and managing the online accounts of a departed loved one can be daunting, especially without a proper end-of-life checklist. But with the right approach, it becomes more manageable.

• Start by identifying all potential accounts, including email, social media, and financial platforms
• Check browser history or password managers for clues. Most modern web browsers save passwords (semi- automatically)
• Once identified, create a comprehensive list and organize login information systematically

It is possible to close accounts without passwords, too. For example, if you want to delete a deceased Facebook account without a password, a death certificate usually is enough 

By taking proactive steps, you can honor your loved one’s digital legacy, all the more by safeguarding their online presence.

Steps to Delete Online Accounts

To initiate the online account deletion process gather essential documents such as a death certificate and valid ID. These documents are your key to the hassle-free closure of the deceased’s online accounts. 

Once you have the necessary paperwork, you can initiate a smooth closure of accounts and safeguard sensitive information. 

Here are ways you can delete each of the deceased’s online accounts seamlessly.

How to Delete Google and YouTube Accounts

To delete a YouTube account, you just need to know how to delete a deceased Google account. 

Deleting a Google account will automatically delete its YouTube data. Before visiting the Google recovery page, make sure to have the necessary documents of the deceased’s details ready.

1. Visit the Google account’s recovery page. 
2. Select the first option, “Close the account of a deceased user”. It will expand an application form below.
3. Fill out the necessary details.

Google will review your request and may require some time to process it. Once confirmed, the account will be permanently deleted.

You can request certain data as well before the account is deleted permanently.

Google also allows users to appoint Inactive Account Managers, who have special access in case of death.

Lastly, Google automatically deletes inactive accounts after two years.

To delete a deceased person’s Google and YouTube account when you have access, here’s what you can do: 

Check if the deceased has set up an Inactive Account Manager. If they have, it’ll help them to designate someone to be notified or take control of their account after a certain period of inactivity. In case of no IAM, send a request to Google through this link. 

Prepare the following details:

• Proof of your relationship with the deceased like a death certificate, copy of the will, etc.
• Proof of ownership of the account like email address and login details 
• A statement requesting account closure

Here are a few additional things to keep in mind:

• Before deletion, consider downloading the deceased’s data like photos, emails, or documents stored in Drive through Google Takeout. 
• Deleting a YouTube channel is close to impossible. While Google may disable your account, complete deletion is rare except for cases of copyright or content violation issues.

How to Delete Deceased Facebook Account (and Meta)

To delete a deceased Facebook account, you’ll need to follow a few steps.

1. Go to the account deletion page for Facebook.
2. Submit a request for account removal. 
3. Provide relevant documentation, like a death certificate and proof of relationship to the deceased. 
4. Facebook will review the request and permanently delete it. 

For other Meta platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, the same process applies. 

How to Delete a TikTok Account

To delete a deceased TikTok account, you’ll need to provide certain documents as proof. They are:

• Death certificate of the deceased.
• Your ID proving your relationship to the deceased, like a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
• A written request explaining the situation and the reason for account closure.

To initiate the process:

1. Visit the TikTok help center.
2. Follow the instructions provided.
3. Once the necessary documents are submitted, the account deletion process will commence. 

Ensure that all required information is accurate and complete to expedite the process.

After verification, your loved one’s TikTok account will be permanently removed from the platform.

In case you have access to the deceased’s account, you may deactivate it by logging into the account > settings and privacy > manage account > deactivate account. 

Note: Account deactivation is temporary, and it will be hidden for 30 days with the content and information remaining. After 30 days of deactivation, the account will be permanently deleted. 

Remember to remove any personal information like email address or phone number linked to the account before deactivation or by contacting support. 

How to Delete a Reddit Account

To delete a deceased Reddit account, you need documents to verify your relationship with the account holder. 

• Visit the official Reddit support page for guidance on the required documentation and the steps to initiate the deletion process. 
• Once verified, Reddit will permanently remove the account, ensuring privacy and closure for your loved ones.

If you have access to the deceased’s account, you can memorialize their account as Reddit doesn’t allow account deletion. 

To do that, log in to their account, and go to user settings > deactivate account. There won’t be a “delete” option. Instead, choose the “memorialize the account” option. You may also contact Reddit support as an alternative. 

However, remember these:

• When contacting support, keep the obituary, death certificate, or any other official documents ready. 
• In case a full deletion isn’t possible, remove any personally identifiable information (PII) like username and profile picture from the account. 
• If none of the above options are possible, you can choose to leave the account inactive. Reddit automatically deletes inactive accounts after a certain period.

How to Delete a Twitter Account

To delete a deceased Twitter account requires specific documentation like death certificates or identification documents to verify the user’s passing. 

 Once you have these:

1. Visit Twitter’s official page for account deletion 
2. Select “The owner of the account is deceased”.
3. Fill in the required information.
4. Twitter will process your request and notify you upon account deactivation. 

By following these steps and providing the necessary documentation, you can successfully delete a deceased person’s Twitter account.

How to Delete a Pinterest Account

If you’re wondering how to delete a deceased Pinterest account, it’s essential to have the necessary documents handy. 

1. Reach out to Pinterest’s support team via email at care@pinterest.com.
2. Send the deceased’s information and raise a request for account closure. 

Additionally, you may also visit the Pinterest Help Center and follow the provided instructions to initiate the account deletion process. 

Pinterest will review your request and may require additional information or documentation. 

Once the account closure is confirmed, the deceased person’s profile and data will be permanently deleted from the platform.

How to Delete a LinkedIn Account

To delete a deceased LinkedIn account, gather necessary documents like proof of death. 

1. Visit the LinkedIn Help Center page for guidance on deleting accounts. 
2. You can request to turn it into a memorial page or close it permanently.
3. Provide the necessary information and attach the death certificate and legal authorization document.

Once submitted, the deletion process of your account will be initiated.

LinkedIn will review your request and may reach out to you for additional information if necessary. Once confirmed, they will close the deceased person’s account.

Digital Inheritance: Dealing with Digital Assets and Data

Managing the digital inheritance, assets, and data left behind by a deceased loved one, like photos, documents, and personal files is crucial. 

A lot of the data can be downloaded if you have access to the platforms at hand, but even if you don’t some like Google and LinkedIn have processes in place to obtain the digital assets of the deceased.

Here are a few things you need to do when managing digital inheritance:

• Compile an Inventory of the deceased’s digital assets, including email accounts, social media profiles, online subscriptions, digital files, and online accounts.
• Secure Access to the deceased person’s devices, accounts, and passwords. This requires legal authorization, like being appointed as the executor of their estate or obtaining a court order.
• Review any legal documents, such as a will or estate plan, to determine if the deceased person specified their wishes regarding their digital assets.
• Contact relevant service providers for each digital asset to inform them of the account holder’s death and request guidance on how to proceed with closing or transferring their account.

By proactively addressing these factors, you may ensure the legacy of your loved ones is preserved while also reducing complications down the line.

Memorializing Online Accounts After Death

Memorializing online profiles is a thoughtful way to honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away. 

Popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer memorialization features that allow users to preserve the profiles of deceased individuals. 

To initiate the process, family members or designated contacts can request memorialization by submitting proof of death to the platform. 

Once memorialized, the profile retains its existing content, with certain features being restricted to maintain the respect and privacy of the deceased. 

Protecting Your Own Digital Legacy

Proactive planning and communication are crucial for managing online accounts after death. Here are some tips to facilitate this process:

• Create a digital inventory — Compile an inventory of all digital assets, including online accounts, email addresses, social media profiles, digital files, and subscriptions. 
• Designate a digital executor — Designate a trusted person to act as your digital executor, for managing your digital assets and carrying out your digital wishes after your passing.
• Document your wishes — Document your digital wishes in a written format, such as a digital estate plan or letter of instruction. 
• Secure important information — Safeguard important information, such as account usernames, passwords, and security questions, in a secure location. 
• Provide access instructions — Provide clear instructions on how your digital executor can access your digital assets after your passing.

Summary

Navigating the deletion of online accounts of a deceased loved one requires sensitivity, diligence, and a clear understanding of the steps involved. 

Prioritizing this task not only respects the digital legacy of the departed but also safeguards their personal information. 

Remember, addressing this aspect of end-of-life planning is just as crucial as traditional estate planning. 

So, it’s not too late to empower ourselves and our loved ones by knowing how to delete online accounts of a dead person and taking proactive steps to manage our digital legacy effectively.