‘Pass on website passwords to loved ones’

FUNERAL directors are warning that the death of someone in the digital age can lead to the loss of irreplaceable memories.

From music to photographs and newspaper stories featuring children’s achievements, families risk losing their shared history.

The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) says that unless provision is made for passwords to be passed on to surviving family members personal items stored online will be lost.

Worse still, access to funds could be delayed if no provision is made to pass on online banking details.

SAIF is launching a campaign urging people to leave instructions, alongside their wills, on how loved ones can access social media, bank accounts and online photographs, music, films and books that could be lost.

More than 870 of its funeral directors are being sent copies of a new booklet to give to people, which includes advice on safeguarding their digital legacy.

Terry Tennens, chief executive, said: “With younger families in particular sharing and storing photos almost exclusively online, all of that can be lost if login details and passwords are unknown.

“We would encourage people to leave clear instructions about what should happen to their emails, social networking sites and online accounts.

“It may be sensible to highlight any login details or passwords in a separate document alongside their will.”

Online banking is another problem. Mr Tennens said: “Whoever is dealing with your assets might not even know the accounts exist, and they are not going to receive a paper statement to alert them otherwise.

“We would advise everyone to be aware of their online investments. Keep a log of them, including passwords, and remember to update details of what and where they are.

“Whoever is going to organise your finances will need to be able to trace what is in your estate, or they may be lost for ever.”