How to close social media accounts of a deceased loved one. Everything you need to know
Closing the social media accounts of a loved one who has passed away can help with the grieving process. However, the policies between platforms vary greatly which can make the process confusing and stressful during an already difficult time. This comprehensive guide covers the steps to memorialize or permanently close Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other accounts so you can properly honor their memory.
Why should you close a deceased person’s accounts?
When someone dies, their friends and family may continue trying to interact with them on social networks unaware that the person has passed. While meant as a sign of care and support, this can prolong the grieving process. Closing the accounts helps bring a sense of closure and prevents further inadvertent contact attempts with the deceased. It can also stop others from potentially accessing personal information or photos from the locked profiles. Memorializing the pages allows people to still share memories and pay respects.
Facebook account closure process
Facebook has a dedicated form to report the death of someone and either close or memorialize their profile. The first thing you’ll need is a copy of the death certificate or obituary to verify the person’s passing before submitting the report.
Once approved, you’ll be given the following options for the account:
Memorialize the profile: This locks the account from any logins or changes but allows friends and family to still leave posts in remembrance. Memorialized profiles will say “Remembering” below their name.
Permanently delete the profile: Choosing this option completely removes the account and any data associated with it cannot be recovered in the future. This provides a clean break but eliminates the profile as a place for others to pay respects.
Provide as much identifying information as possible like the person’s full name, date of birth, hometown, and a copy of their profile picture to speed up the verification process. Facebook may also ask you to explain your relationship to the deceased to confirm you’re an appropriate person to handle the request. The entire closure generally takes 1-2 weeks once initiated and approved.
Instagram account closure
Instagram’s process is similar to Facebook’s with some variations. Begin by accessing the person’s profile and looking for the three-dot “more options” menu in the top right. Then select “Memorialize” to lock the profile.
You’ll need to provide a copy of the death certificate or obituary, your email address, and relationship to the deceased. The account will then be memorialized allowing others to still view photos and leave remembrance comments but preventing any new logins to the profile.
An alternate option is to submit a report to permanently delete the Instagram account. However, Instagram says deleted accounts cannot be recovered so choose this route carefully if you feel memorializing is a better way to honor their legacy through the photos and memories shared on the platform.
Twitter account closure options
For Twitter, the two options are to either suspend or deactivate the account.
Suspend the account: This locks the profile preventing any logins or tweets but maintains the page. Others can still view previous tweets and leave replies or mentions to pay tribute to the person. To suspend a profile, you’ll need a copy of the death certificate to verify the request with Twitter support.
Fully deactivate the account: Selecting this permanently removes the profile and associated username from the platform. Tweets and any interactions on the page will no longer be visible or access through their profile. Choosing deactivation is a more definitive closure compared to suspension which still preserves their online presence on Twitter in memorial.
As with other platforms, provide as many identifying details for the late user like their full name, username, date of birth or an image to help verify your relationship to the deceased you’re requesting help with closing their account.
Guidelines for other social networks
For emerging or less frequently used platforms where someone may still have had a presence, here are additional closure guidelines to reference:
LinkedIn: Contact support with verification like an obituary to either have the profile removed or turned into a memorial page in remembrance.
YouTube: Contact support with the same verification documents to either make the channel a memorial or delete videos and personal information from the page.
TikTok: There is no native way currently to memorialize or close an account, so support must be contacted with verification for them to delete or disable the profile to help with closure.
Snapchat:Accounts cannot be memorialized yet. Contact support with obituary verification and request the profile be completely deleted from the platform. Any snaps or stories won’t be recoverable after the removal.
Pinterest: Boards can be made private or the profile completely deleted by submitting verification of death to Pinterest support. This maintains or closes access to any saved pins and followed boards.
Going through each major social media site’s policies ensures every digital footprint is properly accounted for. The verification process takes effort but finds closure where a continued online presence could prolong a loved one’s memory in unintentional ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download my loved one’s photos before closing an account?
Most major platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow you to download an archive of all photos and posts associated with someone’s account before fully deleting it. Be sure to save these files elsewhere for your own remembrance.
How long does the verification review take?
Most sites aim to review and process requests within 2-4 weeks, though some like Facebook may take up to 6 weeks during busier periods. Having all required documents readily available can help speed up the closure process.
Will closing the accounts delete memorial posts left by others?
Memorializing a profile allows other users to continue leaving remembrance posts which will remain visible even if the profile is later closed. Only fully deleting an account removes all activity and engagement from it.
Is there a way to preserve someone’s Twitter account as a memorial?
Twitter only offers suspension which locks but maintains the profile for visitors. There is no built-in memorialization feature like on Facebook and Instagram, so preserving timelines long-term requires downloading archives before suspension.
What happens if someone else gains access to a deceased’s account?
Ideally all profiles of the passed should be properly closed or made private to preserve their legacy. If any accounts become compromised, you may have to reinitiate the verification process with platforms to regain closure and prevent others from exploiting the profiles.
In closing, taking the important step to properly handle a loved one’s online presence through approved closure requests brings comfort during bereavement. While sad to withdraw their active participation on these social networks, it helps continue moving forward with acceptance in a healthy manner. The policies across platforms continue evolving, so reach out directly with any other unique circumstances. By addressing digital footprints with care, we honor someone’s memory responsibly even after they are gone.
I hope this comprehensive guide on closing social media accounts of the deceased addresses your needs. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
