Digital Accounts
Most of these can wait months. A few need attention soon.
Do not close their email account. You need it for password resets and account recovery on everything else. Keep it open until you've closed all the accounts that might need it — which could take months.
Their email is where password resets go, account confirmations arrive, and final statements get sent. Keep it open. When you're eventually ready to close it:
- Gmail (Google): Google has an Inactive Account Manager — if the deceased set up a trusted contact, that person may have access. Otherwise, Google has a next-of-kin request process at support.google.com. Use Google Takeout to download all data before closing.
- Outlook (Microsoft): Microsoft has a Next of Kin process. Contact support with a death certificate.
- Apple Mail / iCloud: Apple has a Digital Legacy feature — if designated, a legacy contact can access the account. Without this, access requires a court order.
Social media
There is no urgency here, and there is no right answer. Take the time you need.
- Facebook: Can be memorialized (profile becomes a memorial page) or deleted. Memorialization requires a death certificate. If a Legacy Contact was designated, they can manage the memorialized profile.
- Instagram: Same as Facebook — both are Meta. Submit a request at instagram.com/memorialization/request.
- Twitter/X: Contact support with a death certificate and proof of relationship. Accounts can be deactivated.
- LinkedIn: Submit a verification form to have the profile removed.
Memorialized profiles remain visible to friends and family. Deleted profiles disappear. Some families find the memorial comforting. Others find it painful to encounter. Give yourself time before deciding.
Cloud storage & photos
Download anything you want to keep before closing accounts. Photos are often irreplaceable.
- Google Photos: Use Google Takeout to export all photos and data. Google's next-of-kin process allows access requests.
- iCloud: Requires Apple's Digital Legacy process or, without it, a court order.
- Amazon Photos: Request access through Amazon's account recovery process.
- Dropbox: Contact support with a death certificate.
Smart home & IoT
If the deceased's smart home devices control locks, cameras, or thermostats in a home you need to access, prioritize getting into these accounts early. Alexa, Google Home, Ring, and Nest accounts can typically be accessed with their login credentials or, if unavailable, through customer support with a death certificate.
For a detailed guide to migrating away from Amazon's smart home ecosystem, see DitchTheMega's Alexa guide.