What Is a Digital Legacy and How Do I Create One? Complete Guide
A digital legacy is the collection of digital assets, online accounts, memories, and data you leave behind after death. Today, the average person has more than 150 online accounts, gigabytes of photos, and years of social media history. Without a plan, these assets can be lost, locked, or become a burden for grieving family members. Creating a digital legacy plan takes less than an hour and protects what matters most.
What Is a Digital Legacy?
Your digital legacy includes everything you create, store, and publish online:
- Social media profiles — Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (Twitter)
- Email accounts — Gmail, Outlook, iCloud
- Digital photos and videos — stored in Google Photos, iCloud, or on devices
- Financial accounts — online banking, PayPal, cryptocurrency wallets
- Creative work — blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts, written documents
- Subscriptions — Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, software licenses
- Domain names and websites
Why Does Digital Legacy Planning Matter?
Without a digital legacy plan, your family faces serious challenges. Email accounts may contain irreplaceable family communications. Cryptocurrency wallets without access keys are permanently inaccessible. Social media profiles may stay active indefinitely, sending birthday reminders to grieving friends for years. Financial institutions increasingly hold digital-only accounts that require specific documentation to access.
According to the Digital Beyond research project, approximately 30 million Facebook users die each year globally. Without action, these accounts either remain active indefinitely or get memorialized — depending on platform settings.
How to Create a Digital Legacy Plan: Step by Step
Step 1: Take Inventory of Your Digital Assets
Start by listing every online account and digital asset you own. Use a secure password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden to store credentials. Include usernames, passwords, recovery codes, and any subscription details.
Step 2: Designate a Digital Executor
A digital executor is the person you trust to manage your digital assets after death. This can be the same as your estate executor or a different person with stronger technical skills. Document their responsibilities clearly. Note: many U.S. states now recognize digital executors in estate planning law under the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA).
Step 3: Set Platform Legacy Contacts
Major platforms allow you to designate what happens to your account:
- Facebook / Meta: Set a Legacy Contact who can memorialize or delete your account (Settings → Memorialization Settings)
- Google: Use Inactive Account Manager to share data or delete accounts (myaccount.google.com/inactive-account-manager)
- Apple: Designate a Legacy Contact in Settings → Apple ID → Password & Security
- Instagram: Cannot currently designate a contact; family can request memorialization
Step 4: Store Your Digital Will Securely
Document your account inventory, executor designation, and platform instructions in a secure digital will. Store it with your estate attorney, in a fireproof safe, or using a digital legacy service. Share the location — but not the contents — with your trusted executor.
Step 5: Consider an Online Memorial
An online memorial or tribute site preserves your life story in a permanent, accessible format. Unlike social media profiles, dedicated memorial sites are designed for remembrance and can be managed by family across generations. Eternal Dream's platform helps families create and manage digital memorials alongside funeral arrangements.
Digital Legacy vs. Estate Planning
Digital legacy planning complements — but does not replace — traditional estate planning. A will covers physical assets and legal decisions. A digital legacy plan covers online accounts and digital assets. Both should be updated whenever your life circumstances change.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Legacy Planning
Can I include digital assets in my will?
Yes. You can reference digital assets in your will, but most legal experts recommend a separate digital asset inventory document rather than listing passwords directly in a will (which becomes public record upon probate). Reference the inventory in your will and store it securely.
What happens to social media when someone dies?
Each platform handles death differently. Facebook can memorialize or delete accounts at the request of verified family members. Google accounts are deleted after an inactivity period unless Inactive Account Manager settings are configured. Instagram, X, and LinkedIn all have processes for account memorialization or removal upon request with a death certificate.
What is a digital estate?
A digital estate is the complete collection of a person's digital assets — accounts, files, subscriptions, and online property. Digital estate planning ensures these assets are transferred, preserved, or closed according to your wishes after death.