What Happens to My Social Media Accounts When I Die?
When most people think of estate planning, they think of where they want their property to go after their death. Their understanding of “property” almost always means it in the physical sense. Things you can see and touch, like real estate, the cash in bank accounts, family heirlooms like jewelry, clothing, or furniture.
But what about things that don’t have a physical presence, like social media accounts? While social media is a business tool for some, for others it is a meaningful way to stay connected to others. As time goes on, it’s more likely that people will want to include these accounts in their legacies.
To help with that process, this article will list out what your options are for your accounts after you pass away for five major social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and TikTok.
What Happens to My Facebook Account When I Die?
Facebook currently offers two options for your account when you pass away. The first option is to have your account deleted. The second is to have your account memorialized.
Facebook Account Deletion
Should you choose to have your account deleted, when someone reaches out to Facebook to let them know that you’ve passed away all of your messages, photos, posts, comments, reactions, and information is immediately and permanently removed from Facebook. Your main profile and any additional Facebook profiles will also be deleted.
Facebook Account Memorialization
If you choose to have your account memorialized, the word “Remembering” will be shown next to your name on your profile. Your Facebook friends will be able to share memories on your profile’s timeline and the content you shared will still be online.
If you choose memorialization, you should also add a legacy contact, who will be able to manage the profile. This includes accepting friend requests, pin posts to your profile, and updating your profile and cover photos.
You can learn more about Facebook's policies by clicking here.
What Happens to My Instagram Account If I Die?
Like Facebook, Instagram offers two options for the accounts of deceased individuals: Removal and Memorialization.
Instagram Account Removal
An immediate family member or personal representative may request that your account be removed from Instagram after you’ve passed away. The will have to provide proof of their relationship to you, which can be done by presenting your birth certificate, death certificate, or other proof under local law that they are a lawful representative of your estate.
Instagram Account Memorialization
If you choose to have the account memorialized the word “Remembering” will be shown next to your name and the content you’ve shared will remain visible. However, your account won’t appear in the Explore Page. A memorialized account also cannot have any changes to the content that is on it, including photos, videos, followers, comments, or privacy settings.
You can learn more about Instagram's policies by clicking here.
What Happens to Your Twitter Account After Death?
Unlike Meta’s subsidiaries (Facebook and Instagram) X, formerly known as Twitter, will assist with the deactivating the accounts of incapacitated users as well as deceased ones.
Twitter Account Deactivation If You've Died
Your personal representative, successor trustee, or a verified family member can access X to have the decedent’s account deactivated. After accessing an form online, an X representative will reach out asking for a copy of your representative’s ID and a copy of the decedent’s death certificate
Twitter Account Deactivation If You're Incapacitated
After a request is submitted, X will reach out to obtain a copy of your ID, a copy of the ID of the person requesting your account be deactivated, and a copy of the Power of Attorney appointing them to be your agent.
You can learn more about X's policies by clicking here.
What Happens to Your LinkedIn Account After Death?
Similar to Facebook and Instagram, LinkedIn allows for the Deletion or Memorialization of deceased users. Regardless of which option you choose, the person who contacts LinkedIn at this form will need the following information and documents:
LinkedIn Account Memorialization Information
Member's full name
LinkedIn profile link/URL
Your relationship
Deceased member's email address
Date of their passing
Link to an obituary or relevant news article
LinkedIn Account Memorialization Documents
Letters of Administration issued by a court
Letters of Testamentary issued by a court
Letters of Representation issued by a court
Other court order appointing the requestor as an authorized representative for the deceased member’s estate
If the account is memorialized, it will remain online and users will be able to engage with the posts, articles, and other content the decedent created, but won't be able to do much else.
If it is requested that the account be deleted, the data will be removed within 30 days after the request is approved.
You can learn more about LinkedIn's policies by clicking here.
What Happens to My TikTok Account If I Die?
TikTok does not have a Legacy Contact feature, Memorialization feature, or offer to close the accounts of deceased users.
Perhaps this is because of the demographics of its user base, being substantially younger than other social media platforms, but still.
If you want your TikTok account deleted after you pass away, you should leave that wish in writing, along with your username, password, and any other code needed to access your TikTok account so it can be done.
Tell TealAcre to Tackle the Task
If you're interested in you want an estate plan that covers your offline and online presence, stay in touch or reach out! To contact us you can:
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation by clicking here.
Register for our next webinar by clicking here.
To check out our social media, click here.
To sign up for our newsletter & receive exclusive offers, articles, and insights, click here.