How to notify WhatsApp when someone has passed away

Steps to notify WhatsApp

  Verify authorization

Before starting, gather the documentation showing your legal authorization to proceed. If in doubt, double check with your estate executor, or trustee. WhatsApp generally requires:

• Credentials Mandatory - Valid credentials, eg. the username, password, MFA code, or private keys, etc. are required, to take any actions on behalf of the deceased.

 

  Identify wishes

WhatsApp is an instant messaging and communications app by Meta. Identify what the deceased's instructions are, or what they wanted to have happen to this asset when they passed away. This is usually located in their will or living trust documents. Or, if they're using Eternal Me, authorized executors can login and view their instructions.

WhatsApp provides the following options:

   
• Nothing - No options are provided for deceased accounts.

Digital Executor and Crypto Executor clients also have these options for WhatsApp:

• 
  Manual Deletion
  
  Request removal or deletion of the asset, or closure of account.
• 
  Custom
  
  Attempt custom instructions for managing this item.

 

  Administer WhatsApp

Now that you've verified your authorization and identified the deceased's wishes, do the work to carry out their instructions. Or, if using our Digital or Crypto Executor service, you're all done -- just wait until you hear back from us on the status.

 

  Document activities

It's important to carefully record each interaction, and be able to check on and report the status to heirs and estate executors. This is automatically handled for users of Eternal Me.

 

  Continue to other assets

After handling the notification, move onto other assets. Here's a selection of other digital assets to address.