Social media platforms have become central repositories of our digital lives, containing conversations, connections, and memories that often matter deeply to those we leave behind. Yet these platforms were built for the living, not the dead, creating unique challenges for digital legacy planning.

When someone passes away, their social media accounts often become unexpected memorials. Friends and family gather in comment threads, share memories, and process grief through the very platform where they once shared everyday moments. Understanding how to prepare for this transition is essential.

The primary challenges families face include legacy contact has limited permissions (cannot read messages or remove friends), memorial accounts cannot be logged into by anyone, and business pages require separate ownership transfer planning. These technical barriers often prevent loved ones from accessing important information, preserving memories, or even closing accounts when desired.

DeathNote helps you navigate these complexities by providing secure credential storage, clear instructions for account access, and guidance on platform-specific policies. You can document your preferences for account management, designate trusted contacts, and ensure your digital legacy reflects your intentions rather than platform defaults.

Beyond technical access, consider what messages or information you'd want shared through these platforms. Many people use social media to announce deaths and share memorial details, making it essential to have clear guidance for those managing your accounts posthumously.

Social networking, family connections, groups, events, business pages, marketplace

Personal profiles, business pages, group admin roles, marketplace seller accounts

Posts, photos, videos, messages, timeline content, friend connections, group memberships, page content

Go to Settings > Memorialization Settings and designate a legacy contact. This person can manage memorial requests, write a pinned tribute post, and update your profile picture. However, they cannot access your messages or remove friends. Choose someone trustworthy who understands your wishes.

Choose whether you want your account memorialized (preserved as a tribute page) or permanently deleted upon death. Memorialize to preserve memories for family and friends, or delete for complete privacy. Document this decision clearly in your DeathNote and inform your legacy contact.