When someone passes away, their digital accounts, subscriptions, and online presence still exist and need attention. This guide covers what to do, in what order, and where to get help.
This guide assumes you are a family member or executor. You will need a copy of the death certificate for most steps. If the estate is being handled by a solicitor, they may be able to assist with some of this.
It's worth working through the steps below reasonably promptly. Active accounts that nobody is monitoring can be vulnerable to spam, phishing attempts, or in some cases identity fraud — so closing or securing them sooner rather than later is good practice, as well as a practical step in managing someone's affairs.
You don't need to do everything in one day — work through it at a pace that's manageable for you.
This is the single most important digital step and should be done within 28 days of registering the death.
Tell Us Once is a free UK government service that lets you report a death to multiple government departments simultaneously — instead of contacting each one separately. The registrar will give you a unique reference number when you register the death. You then use that number online or by phone.
It notifies: HMRC (tax, Child Benefit, Tax Credits) · DWP (State Pension, Universal Credit, other benefits) · DVLA (driving licence, vehicle keeper records) · Passport Office · Local council (Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Blue Badge, electoral register) · Armed Forces pension schemes where applicable.
You have 28 days from receiving your reference number to use it. If you miss this window, call the DWP Bereavement Helpline on 0800 151 2012 to stop pension and benefit payments and avoid overpayments you may later need to repay.
Use it online at gov.uk/after-a-death ↗ or by phone on 0800 085 7308 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–4pm).
Streaming services, cloud storage, and other digital subscriptions will keep charging unless cancelled. This is something you can action relatively quickly and practically.
The most reliable way to find what subscriptions exist is to look through the last two or three months of email inboxes for payment receipts or renewal reminders. Search for words like "receipt", "invoice", "subscription", "renewal", or "payment confirmation".
Common ones to check: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Spotify, Apple One, NOW TV, Sky, broadband, cloud storage (iCloud, Google One, OneDrive), gym memberships, and magazine or newspaper subscriptions.
Most streaming and digital services can be cancelled online through the account settings. Some may ask for a death certificate — this is normal and straightforward to provide. If you cannot access the account to cancel, contact the service's customer support and explain the situation; most have a bereavement process.
The TV Licence is separate from other subscriptions and needs to be cancelled directly. Call 0300 790 6113 or visit tvlicensing.co.uk/contact ↗. A refund may be available for any complete months remaining on the licence from the date of death.
This page focuses on digital accounts and online presence. For guidance on notifying banks, closing financial accounts, handling digital assets such as cryptocurrency, or dealing with the estate — these are best handled through official UK sources:
Each platform has its own process. Most require a copy of the death certificate. You generally have three options for each account — close it, memorialise it, or download the data first.
Close / delete Permanently removes the account and all content. Usually irreversible.
Memorialise Keeps the profile visible as a memorial but prevents new logins or changes. Available on Facebook and Instagram.
Download data first Most platforms allow you to request an archive of photos, messages, and posts before closing the account. Do this before closing if there are photos or messages you want to keep.
| Platform | What you can do | How to request |
|---|---|---|
|
Memorialise
Remove account
Download data
You can also request a one-time download of photos and posts before removal. |
facebook.com/help ↗ | |
|
Memorialise
Remove account
Requires proof of death and your relationship to the deceased. |
help.instagram.com ↗ | |
| 📧 Gmail / Google |
Close account
Request content
Google's inactive account manager can grant access to selected data if set up in advance. Without it, access requires a formal request with death certificate. |
support.google.com ↗ |
| 🍎 Apple ID / iCloud |
Close account
Request data
Apple's Digital Legacy feature (if set up in advance) allows nominated contacts to access photos and files. Without it, access requires a court order in most cases. |
support.apple.com ↗ |
| 🪟 Microsoft / Outlook |
Close account
Request content
Microsoft will work with next of kin to provide access or close the account. Requires death certificate and proof of relationship. |
support.microsoft.com ↗ |
|
Remove profile
LinkedIn will remove the profile on request from a family member. Provide the profile URL and a death certificate. |
linkedin.com/help ↗ | |
| 🐦 X (Twitter) |
Deactivate account
X will deactivate an account on request. Requires death certificate and proof you are an immediate family member or authorised representative. |
help.twitter.com ↗ |
| ▶️ YouTube |
Close account
Request videos
Handled through the Google process above. |
support.google.com ↗ |
|
Close account
WhatsApp accounts are tied to a phone number. The account deactivates automatically after 120 days of inactivity. You can report it for earlier removal. Chat history stored on the phone remains accessible on the device. |
whatsapp.com/contact ↗ |
Devices may hold photos, important documents, saved passwords, or two-factor authentication apps needed to access other accounts. Take time to review what is on each device before wiping or disposing of it.
If a device is locked and you're unable to access it, the best route is to contact the manufacturer directly — Apple and most Android manufacturers have bereavement or next-of-kin processes for exactly this situation. They will ask for a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
Apple — Digital Legacy support ↗
Google — deceased user account support ↗
iCloud, Google Photos, and OneDrive may hold years of photos. Before closing any account, download or transfer all photos to a hard drive or another account. Once an account is deleted, this content is usually gone permanently.
Before donating or recycling a device, perform a factory reset to remove all personal data. On iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content. On Android: Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset. Remove the SIM card before disposing of any phone.
Tap any item to mark it as done. Progress is saved on this device.
The single most helpful thing anyone can do is leave a simple document with their account information. It does not need to include passwords — just enough for your family to know what exists.
A simple document — kept with your will or in a safe place your family knows about — listing which email address you use, which subscriptions are active, and which platforms you're on. No passwords needed, just the names.
Both Apple and Google allow you to nominate someone who can access or download your data after you die. Apple calls it a Legacy Contact (Settings → your name → Legacy Contact). Google calls it the Inactive Account Manager (myaccount.google.com → Data & Privacy). Facebook also has a Legacy Contact in security settings.
If you use a password manager, consider how a trusted person could access it in an emergency. Most password managers — including Apple Keychain and Google Password Manager — have an emergency access or account recovery feature designed exactly for this situation.
The official government guide covering registering a death, Tell Us Once, benefits, and the full range of practical steps. The most authoritative starting point for everything.
Government-backed guidance on the financial and legal steps after a bereavement — including bank accounts, pensions, and probate. Part of the Money and Pensions Service.
Free support for anyone dealing with grief, including a helpline and local groups. The practical steps in this guide are important, but so is your own wellbeing — both can be attended to.
Free, impartial advice on probate, wills, and the practical steps after a bereavement, including when you need a solicitor and when you don't.
A compassionate, practical guide to handling digital accounts after a death, written by Hospice UK's bereavement support team.
None of this needs to be done immediately. In the first days and weeks, focus on what matters most. The digital accounts will still be there when you are ready to deal with them — and most platforms are understanding when you explain the circumstances.