What happens to my email when I'm gone?

It's important to plan ahead for what will happen to your digital assets when you pass away, and to make your wishes known to the people you want to manage your accounts. It's also important to recognize that each email provider has its own policies and procedures for what happens to a person's account when they die.

AOL will deactivate an account after 90 days of inactivity, but it does not delete the account. In order to have an AOL account permanently deleted, you can contact AOL customer support and provide proof of the person's death, such as a death certificate. 

Google has a feature called Inactive Account Manager that allows users to specify what should happen to their accounts when they become inactive. Users can choose when their account should be considered inactive, designate people to be notified, and decide whether they want their account to be deleted or remain open. If a person dies without setting up their preferences in the Inactive Account Manager, a family member or legal representative can submit a request to Google to have the account closed. 

For iCloud accounts, it can be difficult to delete the account of a deceased individual unless you know their login information. If you do not have the password, you can make a formal request to Apple to close the account, and you will be required to provide proof of your authorization and a death certificate. If you do have the password, you can sign in to the account and follow the instructions for deleting the account. 

Microsoft accounts are closed and deleted automatically after two years of no activity. However, if you have a valid subpoena, search warrant, or court order, you can request access to the contents of a Microsoft account. 

Yahoo will not release passwords to the email accounts of deceased individuals. However, they do have a process in place for loved ones to request the permanent closure and deletion of an account. In order to do this, the loved one must create a written request asking for the closure of the account, and must include the deceased person's Yahoo ID, as well as a copy of their death certificate and a copy of a document that proves they are the executor of the deceased person's estate or a personal representative of the deceased.