"We also know there’s a crucial part employers can play to support people during this difficult time; employee benefits can make the bereavement process easier."
- Charlotte O’Brien, head of employee benefits at MetLife UK
Of those surveyed (2,003) who’ve experienced a bereavement in the last two years, 27% helped a relative manage social media accounts of someone who’d passed away or managed it themselves.
Just 23% said that they want their personal social media channels taken down or closed after they’ve passed away, while more than one in five (22%) said they’d like their loved ones to post an announcement of their passing on social media.
18% believe that family accessing their accounts could offer comfort during bereavement, and one in ten (13%) want their social media to be kept alive, but without further updates or posts.
Unfortunately, the preparation gap when it comes to social media legacy is substantial. Just 14% said they’ve shared their passwords with loved ones – this percentage is higher amongst men (18%) than women (12%)
“Social media has become so deeply intertwined with our lives that it now features in how people want to be remembered in death, and how we choose our legacy to live on. But this requires an additional level of logistical planning that many overlook.
“Grieving families have a lot to process, and this can be just one more thing to be considered. Many aren’t aware of offerings such as a digital lockbox, which exist to support people with the storage of passwords for things like social media, thus making it much easier for those left behind to carry out their loved ones’ wishes,” said Charlotte O’Brien, head of employee benefits at MetLife UK.
