Removing a deceased member from LinkedIn can be an emotional process, but doing so helps protect their account and prevents notifications being sent to their connections. Here is a guide on how to properly remove or memorialize a LinkedIn account after someone has passed away.
Who Can Request the Removal of a Deceased Member?
LinkedIn requires verification that you are an immediate family member or executor of the deceased before removing them from the platform. The following people can submit requests:
- Immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, children)
- Executors of the estate
- Other verified representatives (lawyers, funeral directors, etc.)
You will need to provide documentation proving your relationship to the deceased, such as a death certificate, obituary, power of attorney paperwork, etc. This ensures the request is valid and prevents unauthorized account access.
How to Request Account Removal
To remove a deceased member’s LinkedIn profile, follow these steps:
- Go to the LinkedIn Help Center and search for “removing a deceased member.” This will bring you to LinkedIn’s guide for requesting account removal.
- Click the link to submit a request and fill out the online form.
- Enter the deceased’s name, LinkedIn URL, your relationship to them, and email address.
- Attach a copy of the death certificate, obituary, or other documentation.
- Explain in the additional details why you need the profile removed.
- Check the box confirming you have authority to make the request.
- Click “Submit” and LinkedIn will review your request.
Once submitted, LinkedIn aims to get back to you within 48 hours. However, it may take longer depending on the complexity of the request. If approved, the deceased member’s profile will be removed from view.
What Happens When a Profile is Removed?
Here’s what happens after LinkedIn removes a deceased member’s account:
- The profile, connections, and activity are permanently deleted.
- The profile no longer appears in search results.
- Emails and notifications will no longer be sent to the account.
- Others will see a “profile unavailable” message if they visit the URL.
Essentially, the account will be completely removed from LinkedIn and archived. All account data and content is deleted. There is no way to reactivate or access the profile again.
What if I Just Want the Profile Memorialized?
Instead of complete removal, you can request to have the account memorialized. This option:
- Maintains the profile viewable to the public.
- Adds “Remembering” to the name to indicate they have passed.
- Hides ads and stops emails/notifications.
- Lets connections share memories and condolences.
To request memorializing instead, simply select that option when submitting the removal request form. You can also request to have the account removed later if you change your mind.
How to Notify Connections About the Removal
Since connections will no longer be able to view the deceased’s profile, you may want to let them know it has been removed from LinkedIn. Here are some ways to notify them:
- Update your own LinkedIn profile with a notice of their passing.
- Send connections a customized LinkedIn message explaining the removal.
- Email close connections directly with more details and remembrances.
- Post on your other social media accounts about the removal.
- Notify any groups or Pages the deceased member managed.
This allows the community to be informed while respecting the removal of the actual profile. Let connections know to remove the contact from their own connections list as well.
Other Actions to Take After Removing a Profile
Along with notifying LinkedIn connections, here are some other actions to take after removing someone:
- Review any open LinkedIn jobs and withdraw applications.
- Ask to be removed as a contact from any active LinkedIn ads.
- Cancel any active LinkedIn Premium subscriptions.
- Export data via the Privacy Dashboard before removal.
- Remove LinkedIn’s browser cookies after closure.
- Review other social media accounts and update or remove as appropriate.
Taking these steps helps wrap up any loose online connections and prevents ads or billing issues in the future. You may also want to post an updated obituary or details on funeral services if not already communicated.
Who to Contact if You’re Having Trouble
If you have difficulties getting a deceased member’s LinkedIn account removed, try these steps:
- Double check you have proper documentation attached and submitted accurately.
- Wait the full 48 hours for a response after initial submission.
- Email LinkedIn directly at [email protected] if no response.
- Search for the LinkedInHelp hashtag on Twitter to find Community Managers.
- As a last resort, submit a request again with more details.
You can also contact their support line at 855-655-5653 if needed. Just be patient as the process often takes some time. But eventually LinkedIn should be able to help close the account.
Closure Brings Comfort and Control
During a difficult time of loss, gaining control over a loved one’s online presence can be comforting. Removing deceased members from LinkedIn provides that closure while protecting their profile. With the proper verification, LinkedIn will work with you to memorialize or delete accounts. So an online presence doesn’t have to be a lasting reminder of what you’ve lost. Instead, the removal allows room to grieve, celebrate life, and eventually create space to move forward.