In this topic we’ll share ideas about managing the online presence left behind after a loved one passes away. This topic is a Wiki, meaning if you have information to add, you may edit the topic to contribute directly.
Note: I am not a lawyer, and this topic is not intended as legal advice. It is simply shared knowledge picked up from difficult experiences in the hopes that it might make someone else’s journey down this path a little easier.
Credit Bureaus
The surviving spouse or court-appointed representative may write to any of the three credit bureaus to report that an individual is deceased, and the information will be passed along to the other two bureaus. Having the individual’s report flagged as deceased can help prevent identity theft.
Information on how to contact Equifax
Online Shopping and On-demand Gig Services
Amazon
- With account access: Instructions
- Lacking access, fill out their online form on behalf of the account owner or call .
Best Buy
- Delete the Best Buy Account with account access
- Request deletion when you don’t have account access: Access support chat directly through the Best Buy website
- Cancel a My Best Buy membership
DoorDash
Ebay
- With account access
- Lacking access, there is a “Contact Us” link just below the “Close Account” button on the same Ebay webpage.
Etsy
Grubhub
Lowes
Lyft
Home Depot
NewEgg
Staples
Target
Uber
Walmart
With account access: Instructions
Walmart+
With account access: Instructions
Wayfair
With account access, sign into https://www.wayfair.com/delete_account to delete the account.
Medical Practice Online Portals
Accessing your loved one’s medical records may cross some legal boundaries. It is better to call the medical practice and let them know of your loved one’s passing. Once they update the patient record, the patient portal account will be closed, as well.
Service Providers and Communications
Cell Phone Service
Although there is a cost involved in keeping cellular service active, keep in mind that once the account is closed, you will lose the phone number and lose the ability to receive text messages for account verification for other services.
You might consider porting the number to a Google Voice account for a one-time $20 fee. This way you would be able to continue to receive text messages, calls, and voicemail.
- If you have access to the account and the cellular service provider allows accounts to be canceled or transfered from an online account management portal, you may be able to so.
- If do not have access to the account or the cellular service provider requires you to call and talk to their agents in order to cancel service, they will most likely require a death certificate in order to complete the request.
Internet Service Providers
Zoom
With account access: Instructions
Social Media
Discord
- If you have evidence that you have the authority to act on behalf of the deceased, you may request that the account be removed.
- Lacking such authority, you may request that the account be memorialized.
- If you need content from the account, Facebook will consider requests with the appropriate documentation.
- If you have evidence that you have the authority to act on behalf of the deceased, you may request that the account be closed.
- Lacking such authority, you can request that the account be memorialized.
Sign-up Genius
Instructions, if you have the account credentials.
Snapchat
Tiktok
YouTube
Online Money Transfer Services
Paypal
- If you have access to the account instructions to close it are here.
- Lacking access to the account, instructions to close the account and required documentation are listed here.
Apps and Clouds
Apple
Microsoft (365, Copilot Pro, XBOX, OneDrive, ClipChamp)
- With access to the account: Instructions
- Lacking access, you’ll need to block payments. Info