Managing the digital accounts and subscriptions of a deceased person
Introduction
We now leave a considerable digital footprint: online bank accounts, social media profiles, streaming service subscriptions, cloud storage spaces, email addresses. After a death, these accounts continue to exist and require careful management by loved ones.
This dimension of succession often remains neglected in the first steps after a death. Yet the stakes are multiple: protecting the deceased's personal data, avoiding unnecessary subscription fees, recovering potential digital assets and respecting the wishes of the deceased person regarding their online presence.
Managing digital inheritance requires time and method. Each platform has its own procedures, some simpler than others. This guide supports you step by step through this process: from inventorying accounts to closing them, including legal aspects and best practices for organising your own digital estate.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
Managing digital inheritance after a death involves listing all the deceased's online accounts (social networks, banking services, subscriptions), then contacting each platform with the necessary documents (death certificate, proof of heir status). Each service has its own procedures for closure or transformation into a memorial account.
It is essential to cancel paid subscriptions quickly to avoid unnecessary fees and to secure personal data. Anticipating by organising your own digital inheritance during your lifetime greatly facilitates these steps for your loved ones.
📚 Table of contents
- Why managing digital inheritance has become essential
- Taking inventory of accounts and subscriptions
- Social networks: procedures platform by platform
- Google, Apple and Microsoft accounts
- Financial services and paid subscriptions
- Other accounts and digital services
- Legal aspects and heirs' rights
- Prevention: organising your digital inheritance during your lifetime
Why managing digital inheritance has become essential
Each person now has an average of 80 to 100 online accounts. Social networks, email boxes, banking services, streaming subscriptions, cloud storage: our digital life leaves a considerable footprint.
After a death, these digital accounts continue to exist. Subscriptions continue to charge fees. Personal data remains accessible. Social profiles can be hacked or used fraudulently.
Managing this digital inheritance therefore becomes an unavoidable administrative step, in the same way as closing a bank account or terminating a lease.
Taking inventory of accounts and subscriptions
Before any steps, identify all the deceased's accounts. Start by checking their email boxes: confirmation messages and newsletters often reveal forgotten services.
Examine bank statements from the last six months to spot automatic debits. Check their smartphone and applications. If the deceased used a password manager, you will find a complete list there.
Organise your findings by category: social networks, financial services, subscriptions, data storage, e-commerce. This overview will facilitate the steps ahead.
Social networks: procedures platform by platform
Each social network imposes its own procedures for closing a deceased person's accounts. The required documents vary, but you will generally need the death certificate and proof of your relationship with the deceased.
Processing times range from a few days to several weeks depending on the platforms. Prepare your documents in advance to speed up the process.
Facebook and Instagram
Meta offers two options: transform the profile into a memorialised account or delete it permanently. The memorial account remains visible with the mention "Remembering", but no one can log into it.
Complete the dedicated form on the Meta Help Centre. Attach the death certificate and a document proving your family relationship. If the deceased had designated a legacy contact, this person can manage the account directly.
Processing generally takes 7 to 14 days.
LinkedIn, Twitter/X and TikTok
On LinkedIn, use the deceased member profile removal request form. Provide the profile URL, death certificate and your identity document.
For Twitter/X, contact support via their specific form. TikTok also requires direct contact with the support service, accompanied by supporting documents.
These platforms process requests in 2 to 4 weeks. Keep case numbers for any follow-up.
Google, Apple and Microsoft accounts
These three technology giants manage complete ecosystems: emails, cloud storage, photos, documents, calendars. A single account gives access to years of personal and professional data.
The procedures are more complex than for social networks, as these services often contain sensitive information and content protected by copyright.
Google (Gmail, Drive, Photos, YouTube)
If the deceased had configured the inactive account manager, their designated contacts automatically receive access after a predefined period. Otherwise, you must submit a formal request.
Prepare the death certificate, a document proving your status as heir, your identity document and the profile URL. Google examines each case individually. The process can take several months.
You can request deletion of the Google account or recovery of data before closure.
Apple iCloud and Microsoft
Apple allows you to designate a digital legacy contact from iOS 15. This person receives an access key to recover iCloud data. Without this prior configuration, Apple generally refuses access, even to heirs.
Microsoft offers a form for Outlook and OneDrive accounts. Attach the usual legal documents. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.
These restrictions highlight the importance of preparing your digital inheritance during your lifetime.
Financial services and paid subscriptions
Beyond the memorial aspect, digital inheritance has direct financial implications. Subscriptions continue to charge amounts as long as they are not cancelled. Payment accounts may contain balances to be recovered.
Act quickly to avoid unnecessary fees for several months.
Online banks and payment services
Contact the deceased's traditional and online banks immediately. Block accounts to avoid fraudulent debits. The administrative formalities after a death include presenting the death certificate and certificate of inheritance.
For PayPal, Revolut, Twint or other payment services, follow their specific procedures. Recover available balances before final account closure.
Recurring subscriptions (streaming, software, press)
Netflix, Spotify, Adobe Creative Cloud, press subscriptions: these services charge monthly or annually. Identify them via bank statements and confirmation emails.
Contact each customer service by phone or online form. Most accept cancellation upon presentation of the death certificate, without early termination fees.
Some services may refund pro-rata unused periods. Systematically request this possibility.
Other accounts and digital services
Beyond the main platforms, many secondary accounts deserve attention. They sometimes contain financial assets (loyalty points, credits) or sensitive information.
These forgotten accounts can also become targets for identity theft.
E-commerce and loyalty programmes
Amazon, eBay or other online shop accounts store payment information and addresses. Delete this sensitive data or close the accounts.
Check loyalty programmes: Cumulus, Supercard, air miles, hotel points. Depending on the conditions, some assets can be transferred to heirs or converted into donations.
Contact customer services with the death certificate to find out the available options.
Dating sites, forums and communities
These profiles are often neglected, but their deletion protects the deceased's identity. Inactive accounts on dating sites can be used for romance scams.
Specialised forums, online gaming communities or thematic groups sometimes contain personal information. Request deletion via contact forms or moderators.
This step preserves the deceased's dignity and avoids unpleasant surprises for the family.
Legal aspects and heirs' rights
In Switzerland, the legal framework concerning access to a deceased person's online data remains unclear. Heirs have rights to the estate, but the right to privacy persists after death.
The certificate of inheritance proves your legitimacy to act. To understand who can act after a death, consult our dedicated guide.
The European GDPR influences the practices of international platforms. Companies must respect deletion requests, but may refuse access to private content without prior authorisation from the deceased.
Prevention: organising your digital inheritance during your lifetime
The best solution remains advance preparation. Create a secure document listing your main accounts, with instructions for each one (keep, delete, transfer).
Configure legacy contacts on Google, Apple, Facebook. Use a password manager with inheritance function such as 1Password or Dashlane. Inform a trusted person of the location of this information.
This step is part of a broader reflection on preparing your succession. Wolky also supports you in creating a dignified digital memory to honour those who leave us.
Managing the digital inheritance of a deceased loved one requires time and method. Start with the inventory of accounts, then process each platform according to its specific procedures. Do not forget the financial aspects: online banks, recurring subscriptions and payment services must be closed to avoid unnecessary debits.
Social networks now offer memorialisation options that allow you to preserve memory whilst securing data. Take the time to assess what should be deleted and what deserves to be kept.
Beyond administrative procedures, honouring the memory of your loved one remains essential. Wolky supports you in this step by allowing you to publish an online obituary accessible 24/7 to all your loved ones. Create a dignified space for remembrance and share photos and memories to celebrate a life, simply and with respect.
