How to notify social media companies when a loved one dies

How to Notify Social Media Companies When a Loved One Dies

When someone dies, their social media profiles remain active. For the people left behind, seeing a loved one's face appear in notifications, friend suggestions, or "On This Day" memories can be deeply painful. Dealing with these accounts is one of those tasks that nobody warns you about — but knowing what to do can make a real difference.

This guide walks you through the process for each major platform, step by step.

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Before you start

You don't need to do this immediately. There is no deadline, and most platforms will keep accounts indefinitely. Take your time.

When you're ready, it helps to have the following to hand:

• A copy of the death certificate (some platforms require this)
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased (if applicable)
• The URL or username of the deceased's profile
• Your own ID (some platforms ask for this)

You do not need access to the deceased person's account or password for any of the steps below.

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Facebook and Messenger

Facebook offers two options: memorialisation or account deletion.

Memorialising an account adds the word "Remembering" above the person's name. Friends can still post tributes on the timeline, but the account won't appear in ads, birthday reminders, or "People You May Know" suggestions. If the deceased set up a Legacy Contact before they died, that person can manage the memorialised profile.

To request memorialisation, use Facebook's Memorialisation Request form. You'll need to provide the deceased's name, their profile URL, and proof of death such as a death certificate, obituary link, or memorial card.

Deleting an account permanently removes the profile and all its content. Only a verified immediate family member can request this, and Facebook requires a copy of the death certificate plus proof of your authority (such as a birth certificate showing you are next of kin, or a grant of probate).

To request deletion, use Facebook's Special Request for Deceased Person's Account form.

Timescale: Both requests are typically processed within a few days, though it can take longer.

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Instagram

Instagram is owned by Meta, and the process is very similar to Facebook.

To memorialise an account, use Instagram's memorialisation request form. You'll need the deceased's username or profile URL and proof of death.

To request deletion, you must be a verified immediate family member. Use Instagram's removal request form and upload a copy of the death certificate.

If the deceased's account is set to private, memorialisation will keep it private. Public accounts stay public.

Timescale: Usually processed within a few days.

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X (formerly Twitter)

X allows an authorised estate representative or family member to request deactivation of the deceased's account.

Submit a request through X's privacy form, selecting the option to deactivate the account of a deceased user. You'll need to provide your own contact details, the deceased's username, a copy of the death certificate, and a copy of your own ID.

X does not offer a memorialisation option — the only choice is deactivation, which eventually leads to permanent deletion.

Timescale: X typically responds within a few weeks, though response times vary.

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LinkedIn

LinkedIn allows anyone to report a deceased member's profile for removal.

Use LinkedIn's online form for deceased members. You'll need the deceased's name, their profile URL, your relationship to them, and an approximate date of death. LinkedIn does not require a death certificate for this request.

Once processed, the profile is removed entirely. LinkedIn does not offer memorialisation.

Timescale: Usually processed within a few days.

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TikTok

To report a deceased user's account, contact TikTok through their online support form or by emailing their support team. You'll need to provide the deceased's username, proof of death, and your relationship to them.

TikTok does not currently offer a memorialisation feature. The account can only be removed.

Timescale: Response times vary.

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Google (YouTube, Gmail, Google Photos)

Google has a dedicated Inactive Account Manager that lets users decide in advance what happens to their account. If the deceased set this up, their wishes will be followed automatically.

If they didn't, you can request access to or deletion of a deceased person's Google account through Google's support page for deceased users. The process involves filling out a detailed form, providing a copy of the death certificate, and may include additional verification steps. Google may also require a court order in some cases.

This covers YouTube, Gmail, Google Photos, and all other Google services tied to the account.

Timescale: Google's process can take several weeks or longer.

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Other platforms to consider

Beyond the major social networks, the deceased may have accounts on other platforms worth checking:

• WhatsApp: Contact WhatsApp support with a death certificate to request account deletion
• Snapchat: Submit a request through Snapchat's support page with proof of death
• Pinterest: Use Pinterest's Special Request form for deceased users
• Reddit: Email the Reddit support team with a death certificate and proof of relationship

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A note on digital legacy

Coming across a loved one's social media after they've died can be unexpectedly emotional. Photos you've never seen, messages to friends, posts about ordinary days — these fragments of a digital life can bring comfort or pain, sometimes both at once.

There's no right way to handle this. Some families find it comforting to keep a memorialised profile as a place to remember. Others prefer to remove the accounts entirely. Neither choice is wrong.

If you're not sure, most platforms allow you to take your time. You don't need to decide today.

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