Digital Legacy Planning: Managing Your Online Presence After You Pass Away

In today’s digital world, we leave behind more than just physical possessions when we pass away. Our online presence, including social media profiles, email accounts, and digital assets, forms part of our legacy. At Acacia Funerals, we encourage families and individuals to consider digital legacy planning as an important part of their end-of-life preparations.

What Is Digital Legacy Planning?

Digital legacy planning involves managing what happens to your online accounts, digital files, and personal data after you pass away. Without a plan in place, your loved ones may struggle to access important accounts or may be unsure about what to do with your online presence.

Steps to Manage Your Digital Assets

1. Create a Digital Inventory: Make a list of all your online accounts, including email, social media, banking, and subscription services. Be sure to include login credentials, passwords, and security information.
2. Appoint a Digital Executor: Consider appointing someone you trust as your digital executor. This person will be responsible for managing your digital assets after your death, ensuring that your wishes are followed.
3. Set Up Legacy Features: Many social media platforms now offer options to memorialise or delete accounts after someone passes away. For example, Facebook allows you to designate a legacy contact to manage your account, while Google provides an Inactive Account Manager to handle inactive accounts.
4. Leave Instructions: Clearly outline what you want to happen to each account. For example, you may want certain accounts deleted, while others could be memorialised for family and friends to visit.

Protecting Your Digital Legacy

By planning ahead, you ensure that your digital assets are managed in a way that reflects your wishes. At Acacia Funerals, we offer guidance on how to include digital legacy planning as part of your overall end-of-life planning.