When a loved one passes away, their digital life often remains active long after the funeral. Photos are still on Facebook, emails arrive, and streaming subscriptions keep charging the bank account. Managing this digital inheritance can seem overwhelming, but there is a straightforward approach: identify active accounts, gather the death certificate, then contact each platform systematically. Here are the six types of online accounts you need to address first.
The 6 types of online accounts to handle after death
Before worrying about forgotten passwords, know that there is a simple method: identify which accounts are active, collect copies of the death certificate, then contact each platform one by one. These six categories of accounts deserve your immediate attention.
1. Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn will keep the deceased’s profile exactly as it was, unless you take action. On Facebook, you can request that the account be converted into a memorial account, which freezes the profile and displays “in memory of” above the name. Complete deletion is also possible, requested by an heir with a death certificate.
Instagram offers the same memorial option. LinkedIn only allows permanent account closure, which is useful to prevent professional birthday reminders that may arrive at an inappropriate time.
2. Email accounts and messaging services
An email account is often the key to everything else: forgotten passwords, bills and bank notifications all pass through it. Gmail has an inactive account manager that the deceased could have set up during their lifetime, designating a trusted contact who automatically receives the account data after a period of inactivity. Without this planning, you must submit an official request to Google or Microsoft, with supporting documents.
WhatsApp and Messenger can be closed by simply reporting the account, but access to conversations is strictly controlled, for data protection reasons.
3. Paid subscriptions (streaming, newspapers, software)
This is often the most costly item if overlooked, as ongoing subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, newspaper subscriptions and software services continue to charge the deceased’s bank card until someone cancels them. Check the bank statements from the months before death to identify these recurring payments, then contact each service to cancel, usually with just a death certificate.
4. Online banking and financial services
Online bank accounts, payment apps (PayPal, Wise) or savings platforms must be reported promptly to the bank, which will then freeze the accounts pending settlement of the estate. However, some recurring payments may continue despite the account being frozen. Online banking services often require a complete file before granting heirs any access, including a probate document.
5. Government and administrative accounts (HMRC, NHS, local authority)
HMRC, NHS online accounts and local authority services should be notified of the death, often automatically via the notification sent by the local registration office, but manual verification prevents unpleasant surprises. For example, a benefit payment received after death may need to be repaid.
6. Cloud storage and personal data
Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox often contain valuable family photos and documents. Cloud storage is not always automatically transferable: each platform has its own rules, and some delete data after prolonged inactivity if no one claims the account.
The most common mistake
Many families focus on social media and overlook paid subscriptions that continue to charge automatically. The result: months of unnecessary payments from a bank account that may already be frozen, which further complicates the settlement of the estate.
Who can manage the digital accounts of a deceased person?
In principle, it is the heirs who have the authority to act, armed with a death certificate and sometimes a probate order, even if they are unsure exactly who should settle debts left after death. Some platforms accept a simple report of death from a relative, whilst others require proof of a direct family relationship. If the deceased had designated a trusted contact or left digital instructions, the process is much faster: the deceased’s wishes take precedence over later family requests.
Steps to effectively manage the digital estate
Inventory accounts and gather supporting documents
The first step is to take a complete inventory of the deceased’s digital presence: bank statements, email records and installed apps on their smartphone often provide good clues. Gather several copies of the death certificate at the same time, which will be essential for each platform contact.
Decide between deletion, recovery or memorial status
For each account, three main options generally exist: permanent deletion, data recovery by heirs, or conversion to a memorial account where available. The choice often depends on the sensitivity of the content and any wishes the deceased expressed during their lifetime.
| Account type | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Facebook, Instagram | Memorial account or deletion |
| Email account | Trusted contact or official request |
| Paid subscriptions | Cancel quickly once identified |
| Bank accounts | Notify the bank and freeze account |
| Government accounts | Verify and update records |
| Cloud and storage | Recover data or close account |
Legal framework and heirs’ rights
In the UK, digital assets are governed by general estate and probate law. Under the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, certain digital assets—notably crypto-assets and data-based forms of value—are explicitly recognised as personal property that can be inherited and administered by executors. The Data Protection Act 2018 protects the personal data of deceased people, but heirs can request deletion or updating of information from platforms. If a company refuses to cooperate, complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is possible.
How to plan your own digital succession
The best way to spare your loved ones this headache is to plan your own digital inheritance in advance. Write a will that lists your main accounts, designate a trusted contact on Google or Facebook, and entrust your essential passwords to someone you trust. A few minutes now saves your relatives weeks of administrative work later.
