Among us and the people around us, it is difficult to find anyone who does not use social media. Social media has become an important part of our daily life in this era of internet boom. But did you know, what happens to our social media accounts when we die?

Facebook account

It is said that nothing online lasts forever. Many are curious about what happens to a person's Facebook presence when they die.

Memorialized Account

When a person dies, their account remains active until their relatives notify Facebook. Some social media allow profiles to be closed when close relatives report the death. Some social media have other options.

For example, if a person's death certificate is given on Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, the account is deleted or memorialized. That means the account will be stuck for a time frame and the user will be remembered by Facebook. At that time, others can also post photos and memories to the account.

In this case 'In Memoriam' or 'Smarne' will be written next to the deceased person's profile. No one can log in or run that account. But if the owner of the account gives 'Legacy Contact' to someone before his death then he can use it.

Usually a family member or close friend can be given as a 'Legacy Contact'. If that is done, you can request to manage the content of the person's account after death or to deactivate the account.

People you may know on Facebook are shown in a list labeled 'People You May Know'. But memorialized accounts are not shown to potential virtual friends. No birthday notification goes to the deceased's friends.

Google-owned YouTube, Gmail and Google Photos users have the option to change what happens to accounts and their data that have been inactive for a certain period of time by visiting the 'Inactive Account' settings.

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X (formerly Twitter) does not have the option of memorializing someone's account or profile. An account can only be deactivated if the account owner dies or becomes incapacitated.