What to Do When Someone Dies: A 90-Day Digital Checklist

When someone dies, there's an overwhelming amount to do — and most of it is urgent. Funeral arrangements, family notifications, legal paperwork. In the middle of all that, digital accounts and online subscriptions rarely feel like a priority. But ignoring them has real consequences: ongoing charges, security vulnerabilities, and assets that slip through the cracks.

This guide provides a practical, phase-by-phase checklist for managing a deceased person's digital life. You don't have to do everything at once. Work through it at the pace that makes sense for your situation.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Gather these items as early as possible — you'll need them repeatedly:

• **Multiple certified copies of the death certificate** (order at least 10-15; you'll need them for banks, insurance, government agencies, and more)
• **Letters testamentary or letters of administration** from the probate court (this grants you legal authority as executor/administrator)
• **The deceased person's phone** (if available and accessible — this is often the key to everything)
• **Access to primary email accounts** (email is the master key to almost every online account)
• **Any estate planning documents** including a digital estate plan, password manager access, or information stored in a service like Passed Plan

Phase 1: First 24 Hours

The first day is about securing accounts and stopping immediate bleeding.

Secure the Phone and Computer - Do not let the phone battery die — plug it in immediately. If it uses Face ID or fingerprint, you may still be able to unlock it (some people report Face ID working briefly after death, though this is not guaranteed) - Note any passwords, PINs, or patterns you know - If you can access the phone, disable auto-lock temporarily so you don't get locked out

Secure Email Accounts - If you can access the primary email account, do so immediately. Email is the gateway to resetting passwords on virtually every other account - Change the recovery phone number to your own (if you have legal authority to do so) to prevent unauthorized password resets - Do NOT delete the email account — you'll need it for months

Cancel or Freeze Credit and Debit Cards - Contact the deceased person's bank(s) to report the death - Request a freeze on all accounts to prevent unauthorized charges - Note: Don't close accounts immediately — the estate may need them for incoming payments (tax refunds, final paychecks, insurance payouts)

Identify Active Subscriptions - Check the phone for installed apps that may have subscriptions - Review recent credit card and bank statements for recurring charges - If you have access to Apple ID or Google Play account, check subscription management in the app store settings

Phase 2: First Week

With the immediate concerns addressed, focus on financial accounts and high-value digital assets.

File Claims with Financial Institutions - Contact each bank, brokerage, and investment company with a death certificate and letters testamentary - Ask about the specific process for each institution — they all have slightly different requirements - Inquire about any automatic payments or direct deposits that need to be redirected

Address Cryptocurrency - Check for crypto exchange accounts (Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, etc.) by searching email for account confirmation or transaction emails - Check for hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor) among physical belongings - Check for software wallets (MetaMask, Trust Wallet) on the phone and computer - If you find crypto, see our guides on [Coinbase estate claims](/blog/coinbase-account-after-death) and [what happens to crypto when you die](/blog/what-happens-to-crypto-when-you-die)

Contact Insurance Companies - File life insurance claims immediately — these can take weeks to process and the family may need the funds. See our [life insurance guide](/blog/life-insurance-after-death) for details - Contact health, auto, and homeowner's insurance to update policies - If you're unsure whether life insurance policies exist, use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator at https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/

Notify Social Security - Call the Social Security Administration at **1-800-772-1213** (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) - Report the death and inquire about survivor benefits — see our [Social Security survivor benefits guide](/blog/social-security-survivor-benefits) - A $255 lump-sum death benefit may be available to a surviving spouse or dependent child

Secure Social Media Accounts - **Facebook**: Submit a memorialization request or account deletion request at facebook.com/help/contact/305593649477238 - **Instagram**: Request memorialization or removal through their help center - **Twitter/X**: Submit a deactivation request through their special memorial form - **LinkedIn**: Submit a deceased member request through their help center

Phase 3: First Month

With urgent matters handled, this phase focuses on subscriptions, digital property, and tax documentation.

Cancel All Non-Essential Subscriptions Work through the list you compiled and cancel subscriptions systematically:

• **Streaming services**: Netflix (call 1-800-585-7265), Spotify, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube Premium
• **Software subscriptions**: Adobe, Microsoft 365, antivirus software, VPN services
• **Membership services**: Amazon Prime, Costco, warehouse clubs, gym memberships
• **News and media**: Newspaper subscriptions, magazine subscriptions, Patreon
• **Food and delivery**: Meal kit services, DoorDash Pass, Instacart+
• **Cloud storage**: Dropbox, iCloud (be careful — download important files first), Google One

Download Important Data Before Closing Accounts Before you cancel or close accounts, download any data that may be important:

• **Photos**: Download from Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Amazon Photos, and social media accounts
• **Documents**: Download from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive
• **Emails**: Export important emails or download using an email client
• **Contacts**: Export contact lists from email and phone accounts

Address Digital Property with Monetary Value - **Domain names**: Check for any registered domains at GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc. These are transferable assets - **Websites with revenue**: If the deceased ran websites or blogs with ad revenue (Google AdSense, affiliate programs), these may be ongoing income sources for the estate - **E-commerce**: Amazon seller accounts, Etsy shops, eBay stores — these may have inventory, pending orders, and account balances - **Digital content**: Check for royalty-generating content on Amazon KDP, YouTube, Spotify for Artists, stock photography sites - **Gaming accounts**: While most are non-transferable by Terms of Service, some game accounts have significant real-world value

Gather Tax Documentation - Request year-to-date earnings statements from employers - Collect 1099 forms from financial institutions - Document the fair market value of all assets as of the date of death (critical for step-up in basis — see our [step-up in basis guide](/blog/step-up-in-basis-explained)) - Note any capital gains or losses realized in the year of death

Phase 4: First 90 Days

The final phase focuses on cleanup, monitoring, and long-term transitions.

Set Up Ongoing Monitoring - Place a deceased alert on credit reports with all three bureaus: - **Equifax**: 1-800-525-6285 - **Experian**: 1-888-397-3742 - **TransUnion**: 1-800-680-7289 - This helps prevent identity theft targeting the deceased, which is more common than most people realize

Forward Mail and Update Addresses - Set up mail forwarding through USPS (usps.com or at the post office) - Update addresses on any accounts that need to remain open for the estate

Close Remaining Accounts Systematically - Close accounts that are no longer needed - Keep a spreadsheet tracking: account name, date contacted, date closed, any final balances or refunds - Some accounts may require additional documentation — be patient and persistent

Handle Password Managers - If the deceased used a password manager (LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane), access it to identify any accounts you may have missed - Many password managers have emergency access features that may help. See our [password manager estate planning guide](/blog/password-manager-estate-planning) for details

File Final Tax Returns - The executor must file a final personal income tax return (Form 1040) for the deceased for the year of death - If the estate generates income, a fiduciary income tax return (Form 1041) may also be required - Estate tax return (Form 706) is required only if the estate exceeds the federal exemption amount ($13.61 million in 2026)

Tips for Staying Organized

Managing a deceased person's digital life is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are tips from executors who've been through it:

• **Use a spreadsheet or tracking tool** to document every account, its status, and any action taken
• **Save confirmation numbers and emails** for every cancellation and claim
• **Don't be afraid to delegate** — trusted family members can help with non-financial tasks like cancelling subscriptions
• **Take breaks** — this process is emotionally and mentally draining. It's okay to step away and come back to it
• **Ask for help** — estate attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors can handle the complex stuff

Make It Easier for Your Own Family

Going through this process is a powerful motivator for planning your own digital estate. If you haven't already, take an hour to document your own accounts and create a plan using Passed Plan. Your family will face enough challenges when the time comes — untangling your digital life shouldn't be one of them.