With nearly 1.4 billion active Instagram users globally, this social media network is the fourth most popular platform. When a loved one dies, choosing what to do with their account is essential. Currently, Instagram offers two options when a loved one passes away: permanently delete the account or memorialize the profile. Choosing the right option for your loved one will depend on your family's or the departed’s preferences.
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What is a Memorialized Instagram Account?
Memorialized accounts are profiles that allow friends, family, and loved ones to remember someone’s life after they die. These profiles are different from active accounts in a few ways. No one can log into a memorialized account, nor will the profile appear under certain places on Instagram. The profile will display the words “Remembering” next to the individual’s name on their account, while the posts will remain shared with the audience initially shared with.
Can You Make Changes to a Memorialized Instagram Account?
After Instagram memorializes a profile, no one can change the account’s information or existing posts. All privacy settings, photos, videos, comments, and followers will remain the same.
How to Request an Account Memorialization
Instagram will memorialize an account when they receive a valid request and verification. To report an account to Instagram, you’ll need to contact Instagram directly. You’ll need proof of death to memorialize the account, along with the following details:
- Your full name
- Email address
- Complete name of the deceased person
- Instagram username of the deceased person
- Proof of Death
- Date of Death
Proof of death can include an obituary, news article, death certificate, or other similar authority to memorialize an account.
What is a Deleted Instagram Account?
If you delete the Instagram account, all profile information, videos, comments, photos, followers, and likes are permanently deleted from the system. You cannot reverse this option once it is finalized, so it is a careful consideration for immediate family members.
Who Can Request an Account Removal?
Only verified family members may request the removal of an account from Instagram. You’ll need to complete the Contact Us form when submitting the request. Deleting the account will require the user to submit additional documentation. Users will need to submit the following information:
- Your full name
- Your email address
- Full name of the deceased person
- Instagram username of the deceased person
- Date of death
- Proof of authority under local law or familial connection (proof of executor, court documents, deceased person’s birth certificate, etc.)
How to Access Someone’s Instagram Account After Passing Away without a Password
To access someone’s account without a password, you’ll need access to their mobile phone. Tap the Forgot Password function on the Login screen and enter the username or phone number on file. A link will be sent to the email address or phone number on file to reset the password.
Can Instagram Give Me Access to the Account?
It is against Instagram’s terms of service to give another person access to an account, including the account or profile of a deceased person. To access the photos or videos of a loved one, users can contact customer service and request an archive of the content, but sign-in details won’t be disclosed.
Why Do Social Media Accounts Matter After Someone Dies?
Social media profiles are just one component of a digital legacy someone leaves following their death. The digital legacy is the information available to others after someone’s passing. These details may include online conversations, photos, videos, profiles, or other accessible content.
While these details may not seem significant while alive, the impact after death should always be carefully considered. Digital legacy planning can ensure digital assets are managed according to specific preferences, protecting information after death.
When someone doesn’t have specific digital legacy plans, all accounts and online information are left to the next of kin, executor, or immediate family. Finding the balance between what your loved one wants and what you’re comfortable seeing online is often a tricky balance.
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Final Thoughts
As social media popularity continues to climb, many families are left to determine how to handle profiles of their loved ones after they die. Depending on your needs, Instagram offers two options for a deceased person’s account. Users can memorialize an account if they’d like the content to remain online or permanently delete the profile if seeing it is too difficult.
Knowing which option to choose isn’t easy, especially when your loved one didn’t indicate any digital legacy planning. Elayne works with employees and their families to complete digital estate documentation, including online estate planning and account closures after passing. We work on your behalf so your family can grieve your loss instead of closing accounts. Contact us today to learn how to bring Elayne to your company.
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