Social Media

This Side of the Grass

What happens to our social media presence when we die? And what can we do about it now? I talk through the options available on three of the biggest platforms: Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Deciding now what you want done with your online footprint is incredibly helpful to the loved ones that are left behind when you are gone! The action item for this week is to decide the following:

1. Who should your Legacy Contact be?

2. What do you want done with your social media footprint once you have died? Those options include memorializing your accounts, or having them permanently deleted.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to set up a Legacy Contact and indicate your wishes, as described for Facebook once you are logged in. (Please note: this was recorded in the Spring of 2024, so keep in mind that these instructions are subject to change!)

How to access Facebook ‘Legacy Contact’ settings via laptop:

Click your profile picture in the upper right – if you hover, it will say “Account”.

Single click to open the menu.

Click Settings & Privacy – then click Settings.

Meta Accounts Center, on the left: click “See More” and it will open a new page.

On the left menu click “Personal details”. That will list things like your email and your birthday. The last option is “Account ownership and Control” under which it says, “Manage your data, modify your legacy contact, deactivate or delete your accounts and profiles.” Click “Account ownership & control”.

How to access Facebook ‘Legacy Contact’ settings via phone app:

Click your profile picture to go to Menu.

Across the top will be “Your shortcuts”, then a number of tiles you can choose from including Groups, Memories, etc. Scroll down to “Settings & Privacy” and “Settings”.

At the top should be “Meta Accounts Center.” Click the blue “See more in Accounts Center”.

Select “Personal Details” The fourth option, on the bottom, is “Account Ownership & Control.”

References in this episode:

Managing a Deceased Person’s Account on Facebook

Report a deceased person's account on Instagram

Contacting X [formerly Twitter] about a deceased family member's account

The Book ‘Finding Meaning’, by David Kessler. Passage called “Living On Online” is on page 218. https://grief.com/sixth-stage-of-grief/

If you have a topic or guest idea – or would love to share how you found out about this podcast -- I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [e-mail], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram!

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