Online networks: what to do when people die

[aspidistra]

A friend died a few months ago. I noticed yesterday his profile is still on Linked In (he ran his own business). It's possible his wife doesn't even know it's there (she's not a Linked In user).

What's the best thing? Leave it up but leave a message there? Take it down?

[Bellenden Belle]

It's a difficult one. I have a deceased friend on facebook and he often pops up on my page - sometimes Facebook even helpfully tells me he has found friends using friend finder! Really Facebook? Are you sure?

But actually deleting him would feel wrong - I like the fact that it means he still has a presence and the people who loved him are still connected through that network.

Not so sure about telling his wife as she may well not know his password in order to delete the account anyway and it might just cause further sadness. Perhaps a message is all that's needed.

[mockney piers]

Not to sound flippant, but maybe facebook (read, social networks in general) should have a status 'deceased' option.

With apparently half the UK on facebook (albeit with a generally younger demographic) you would have thought this question might have popped up once or twice by now.

[nashoi]

I thought facebook did have a facility for turning pages into memorials, I've also heard it recommended that people list passwords for these sights in their wills.

[Jeremy]

I knew a guy in his twenties who died in his sleep a few years ago. His mates contacted Facebook admin, and one of them was granted the permission to edit his page and turn it into a memorial. People still post on the wall with wish-you-were-here type messages. It's definitely worth doing.

[Ms_Lilith]

Hi aspidistra,

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

You may find this link useful, it has some information relating to the process you need to go through in reporting a death to linked in. https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2842

I hope that helps.