Short answer: Make a list of the person's phone, email, cloud and subscription accounts, save photos and documents before anything is closed, and cancel paid subscriptions. Some services let people name a trusted contact in advance. Do not guess passwords or sign in as the person unless a service says it is allowed.
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state; confirm details with a licensed professional.
Where do I start?
- Make a list: phone, email, cloud storage, social media, banking apps, shopping, streaming and any online business.
- Save what matters first: photos, videos, documents, contacts.
- Cancel paid subscriptions and recurring charges.
- Then close or memorialize accounts, following each service's own process.
Be careful with passwords
Terms of service and laws differ by service and state. If you do not have clear permission, ask the service about its deceased-user process instead of signing in.
What options do platforms offer?
Some services let a person name someone in advance. Apple's Legacy Contact lets someone you choose request access to certain account data after your death with an access key and a death certificate; some content, such as purchased media and keychain data, cannot be accessed. Google's Inactive Account Manager lets you pick up to 10 people to be notified or to receive some data if the account becomes inactive. Google also describes a process for family members to request closure of a deceased person's account.
Other services, including social media platforms, have their own options, such as memorializing or removing an account. These change often, so look for the service's help page on deceased users and read it before you act.
How do I plan my own digital legacy?
- Use a password managerSome offer an emergency-contact feature. Check yours.
- Write down where the master password and recovery details are keptIn a sealed note with your important papers, not in a shared document.
- Set up legacy or trusted-contact options where they exist
- Back up photos in two places
- Tell someone you trust where to look
Frequently asked questions
Should I delete accounts right away?
No. Save photos, messages and documents first. Once an account is deleted, its content may not be recoverable.
Can I sign in to my loved one's account?
Service terms and laws vary. Using someone else's login may breach a service's rules. Ask the service about its process for a deceased person's account.
What happens to photos stored in the cloud?
It depends on the service and whether the person set up a legacy option. Check the service's help page for deceased users.
What happens to social media and digital accounts after someone passes away?
Many online platforms offer ways to memorialize or close an account when the person has passed away, and policies differ from one service to the next. Some require a death certificate and proof of relationship, and some allow a designated legacy contact if the person set one up. Email, cloud storage, and photos may hold important records and memories. What to do: make a list of accounts you know about, check each platform's help page for deceased user requests, download photos and files before closing anything, and avoid accessing accounts in ways that violate the terms of service or state law.
How do I notify banks and close accounts after a death?
Begin by contacting each bank with a certified death certificate and asking what they need to retitle or close the accounts. Many banks have a department for deceased accounts and will explain the paperwork. Do not close accounts until you know whether the estate needs them open for bills or deposits. Joint accounts and accounts with named beneficiaries are often handled differently. What to do: make a list of accounts, notify each institution in writing, ask for the process in writing, and consult the estate attorney before paying debts from personal funds.
What is a good order for handling an estate after a death?
A common order is to secure the home and property, obtain death certificates, locate the will, notify key agencies and institutions, and then work with an attorney on probate if needed. Pay urgent bills such as mortgage and insurance, keep records, and avoid distributing assets until debts and taxes are addressed. Each state has its own rules and deadlines, and the process often takes longer than families expect. What to do: make a simple checklist, keep all receipts in one folder, and consult an estate attorney early to confirm your responsibilities. This is general information, not legal advice.
How do I report a death to Social Security?
Report the death to the Social Security Administration as soon as practical, and the funeral home often does this for you if you provide the person's Social Security number. If you are not sure it was done, call to confirm. Benefits paid for the month of death generally may need to be returned, and a surviving spouse or child may be eligible for survivor benefits or a small lump-sum payment. What to do: call the agency's national number, have a death certificate ready, ask about survivor benefits, and keep a note of the date and the name of the person you spoke with.
What should I do about a loved one's credit reports and mail?
Notifying the credit reporting agencies can help prevent misuse of a person's identity after a death. You can send each of the three major agencies a copy of the death certificate and ask that the file be flagged as deceased. Forward mail through the postal service to the executor, and watch for bills and statements. Cancel subscriptions and memberships as time allows. What to do: request a credit report for the estate, keep a list of accounts you find, and report any suspicious activity to the agencies and to local law enforcement promptly.
How do we handle the first anniversary and holidays after a loss?
The first anniversary and holidays can bring strong feelings, and it helps to plan rather than hope the day passes quietly. Some families keep a tradition, light a candle, visit the cemetery, share stories, or do something kind in the person's name. Others prefer a quiet day. It is normal for grief to return around meaningful dates. What to do: decide ahead of time what feels right, tell friends and family what you need, give yourself permission to change plans, and reach out to a counselor or support group if the day feels overwhelming.