Digital Legacy
Protecting Photos, Passwords, and Online Accounts
Reading time: ~7 minutes
What Is a Digital Legacy (and Why It Matters)
Our lives live online: photos and videos, messages, banking, subscriptions, and social profiles. A digital legacy plan makes sure your family can locate, access, and preserve those pieces with as little stress as possible.
1) Make a Simple Inventory
- Photo libraries (phone, iCloud/Google Photos, external drives)
- Important accounts (email, banking, utilities, insurance)
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Subscriptions and paid apps (music, storage, streaming)
Tip: A single page or spreadsheet is enough. Keep it up to date twice a year.
2) Store Passwords Safely (and Share Access Wisely)
Use a reputable password manager to store logins securely. Add your spouse/partner or a trusted person as an emergency/legacy contact with read-only access. Avoid emailing raw passwords.
3) Back Up Photos & Videos (Follow the 3–2–1 Rule)
3–2–1 backup: keep 3 copies of your photos, on 2 different types of storage (e.g., cloud + external drive), with 1 copy offsite (or in the cloud). Name albums by year or event so family can find favorites quickly.
4) Set Legacy Contacts & Memorialization Options
- Apple/Google: configure Legacy Contact or Inactive Account Manager so someone can request access.
- Facebook: choose Legacy Contact or memorialize the account.
- Email: decide who should manage messages and recover other accounts.
5) Leave Clear “After-Death” Instructions
Write a short note that answers: who should access accounts, what should be saved or deleted, where photos and important documents live, and how to handle social profiles. Keep the note with your will and tell one person where it is.
6) Put Memories Where Family Can Find Them
An online memorial space keeps the best parts of a life together: a biography, eulogy, photo/video gallery, condolences, and service details. It’s easy to share and update over time — no special logins required for guests.
When you’re ready, compare plan options, read our Helpful Tips, or explore memorial ideas.
Quick Checklist (Copy/Paste)
- List key accounts and photo locations
- Set up a password manager + emergency access
- Back up photos with 3–2–1 rule
- Choose legacy contacts on Apple/Google/Facebook
- Write “after-death” instructions and store with your will
- Create/maintain an online memorial space
Security & Privacy Notes
Never share passwords in plain text. Use two-factor authentication where possible, and keep recovery codes in a sealed envelope or secure vault that your executor can access. If you’re unsure, ask a trusted tech-savvy friend or a professional to help you set things up correctly.
Providers and funeral homes interested in digital-legacy resources can visit our Partners page.