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Making funeral plans after the passing of a loved one is never easy. At Abriola Parkview Funeral Home in Trumbull, CT, we recognize that even navigating the digital landscape after losing a loved one can be very emotional, especially if your loved one had a significant online presence.

There are many ways people build their lives online, and it’s what happens to that digital legacy after death that can be confusing. Here’s what you should know about managing your late loved one’s social media accounts:

  • Facebook: Facebook allows its users the option of deciding what they’d like the future of their accounts to be after death. You can assign someone as a “legacy contact,” which is the person who will inherit limited control of your account. The account will be renamed “Remembering (loved one’s name)” so that it stands as a virtual memorial. If you have inherited an account, you can even post your loved one’s funeral plans so that friends may pay their respects.
  • funeral plansTwitter: Twitter works similarly as Facebook. In the event of a passing, you or another immediate family member can request that the account be deactivated. You’ll need to provide a death certificate, copy of an ID, and more information as a security measure.
  • Instagram: Instagram also memorializes your loved one’s digital account. Unlike Facebook, though, this account isn’t inherited by anyone else and remains as it was before. Photos remain visible only to the audience with whom they were originally shared.

On top of social media, email providers have a different set of rules concerning the passing of a loved one. Google allows you to apply to receive the contents of your loved one’s email. This may be especially helpful if you’re making funeral plans, planning the funeral service, or writing eulogies and obituaries, as you might find a small nugget of information to share. Maybe there was a newsletter they especially loved or a special signature they used. Yahoo allows you to apply to close the account, and Apple terminates email accounts upon death.

Our compassionate staff understands that every step of arranging funeral services can be challenging, and we’re available whenever you need a helping hand and gentle guidance. That includes navigating the digital world and settling your loved one’s social media accounts appropriately. During this difficult time, we’re with you every step of the way at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home. You can visit us online, or contact us at (203) 373-1013. For more, feel free to find us on Facebook.

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