Executor Guide
Close or Memorialize Social Media Accounts
⏱ 1–3 hours
Rules and timelines vary by state. This guide covers general steps that apply in most situations.
Consult an estate attorney in your state for specific legal requirements.
What you'll need
- Proof of death (death certificate or obituary link)
- Proof of your relationship to the deceased
- Account usernames or profile URLs where known
Steps
- Facebook/Instagram (Meta) — you can request memorialization (keeps the profile as a memorial) or removal. Use Meta's Special Request form. A legacy contact designated by the deceased can manage the memorialized account.
- Google (Gmail, YouTube, Google Photos) — Google's Inactive Account Manager lets account owners designate what happens after death. If not set up, submit a request through Google's deceased user process. Important: download Google Photos before the account is closed.
- Apple ID / iCloud — Apple's Digital Legacy feature allows designated contacts to access the account. Without this, account access is extremely difficult — Apple's policy is to not transfer Apple ID credentials. Contact Apple Support with a death certificate.
- LinkedIn — submit a removal request through LinkedIn's deceased member form with proof of death.
- Twitter/X — submit a deactivation request through their deceased user policy form.
- Amazon — contact Amazon customer service to close the account. Any digital purchases (Kindle books, Prime Video) are non-transferable per their terms of service.
- PayPal, Venmo, Cash App — contact each service to close the account and request any remaining balance be sent to the estate.
Tips
- Download photos, videos, and any purchased content before closing accounts — most digital purchases are non-transferable and will be lost.
- Memorialization is often better than deletion for family members who want to preserve memories and prevent the account from being reactivated by bad actors.
- If you don't know which platforms the deceased used, check their email for account registration or notification emails.
When to get professional help
Social media account closures generally do not require professional assistance. If significant digital assets (monetized YouTube channels, online businesses) are involved, consult an attorney about digital asset transfer.