Digital Legacies - What they are, and why YOU should have one.
- Peter Middleton
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Introduction:
Hello again,
Anyone reading my blog knows that I'm living with dementia.
Some days are better than others.
On the good days, I laugh with my grandchildren, go for walks with my wife, and remember most of the little things that make life beautiful.
On the harder days, I forget the name of a favourite song, or I lose track of time. But I've learned something significant on this journey: while I may lose some of my memories, I don't have to lose my story.
That's why I want to talk about something called a digital legacy — what it is, why it matters, and how it can bring peace of mind not only to us but to the people we love.
What Is a Digital Legacy?
The term "digital legacy" refers to your online presence - the digital assets, and data that you leave behind after you pass away.
In today’s digital world, people generate vast amounts of content through social media, emails, online banking, cloud storage, blogs, and more. These digital footprints can include personal photos, videos, documents, cryptocurrency, or even gaming accounts.
Managing your digital legacy involves deciding what should happen to these digital assets after your death. This can include who gains access to your online accounts, what content should be preserved or deleted, and how your personal data should be handled.
Without clear instructions, your family may struggle to access important information or may face legal complications.
Many platforms now offer tools to help with digital legacy planning. For example, Facebook allows users to appoint a legacy contact who can manage their memorialised account.
Google provides an Inactive Account Manager feature that lets users decide what happens to their account if it’s unused for a certain period.
Creating a digital legacy plan is becoming an essential part of end-of-life planning. It allows individuals to protect their privacy, honour their memories, and help loved ones avoid unnecessary stress. A typical plan might include a list of accounts, login credentials stored securely (such as in a password manager), and clear instructions about what should be done with each asset.
In summary, a digital legacy is everything someone leaves behind in the digital world. Just as people prepare wills to manage their physical assets, it's becoming increasingly important to plan for digital ones too. Taking steps now to organize and communicate your wishes can ensure your online life is handled respectfully and responsibly after you’re gone.
But it's more than just data.
It helps us to share memories, thoughts and heritage.
It's our essence, voice, humour, and love — captured and preserved while we still have the clarity and ability to shape it.
Why Should People Living With Dementia Make One?
When you live with dementia, time feels different. Moments slip away more quickly. The things you thought you'd never forget — your wedding day, your child's first steps, your favourite recipe — can fade unexpectedly.
But just because our memories become fragile doesn't mean our lives lose meaning.
Here's why I believe every person with dementia should consider creating a digital legacy:
We've Got to Share Our Voices While We Can One of my biggest fears is not being remembered the way I truly am. By recording my thoughts, stories, and values now, I get to be a part of how I'm remembered. It's comforting to know my family will always have something to hear, read, and hold onto, even if one day I can't be there to say it out loud.
To Preserve Family History There are stories only I know — about my childhood, my parents, and how our family traditions started. If I don't share them now, they might be lost forever. A digital legacy helps ensure those pieces of our family puzzle stay intact for the next generation.
To Stay Connected Sometimes, dementia can make us feel isolated — like we're drifting away while everyone else moves forward. Creating a digital legacy makes me feel more anchored. It's a way to stay present in the lives of the people I love, even in the future.
To Find Joy in Reflection As I put together photos and messages, I relive those moments. It brings me joy. It's a creative process, a way to say: "This is who I am. This is what mattered to me." That's powerful. That's healing.
Getting Started Is Easier Than You Think
You don't need to be a tech wizard. You can:
Record short voice messages or videos on your phone
Write letters to your children or grandchildren
Scan old photographs and add captions
Keep a journal or blog like this one
Choose someone you trust to help organize it all.
There are even apps and services designed to help create digital legacies — your doctor or care team might be able to suggest some, and I've included some links and a checklist of things you might include in YOUR digital Legacy at the bottom of this blog.
A Gentle Call to Action
To anyone else living with dementia, start your digital legacy today.
Don't wait. Don't worry about perfection. Just begin.
Your story is valuable. Your voice matters. And this is your chance to be remembered on your terms — with love, honesty, and dignity.
And to the family members reading this: help us do this. Ask us questions. Save our words. Be part of preserving our lives' beautiful, messy, meaningful tapestry.
Because when the memories begin to blur, the legacy remains clear.
With love and hope,
Pete
A person living with dementia but still full of stories to share
Useful Links:
My Wishes Digital Legacy Creation site - MyWishes - Social Media Will
DG Legacy App - Launch of DGLegacy's App: Revolutionizing Digital Legacy Management
Digital Legacy Management Tool - DGLegacy: Digital Legacy Management Tool
PC Magazine article - How to Prepare Your Digital Life for Your Death
Digital Legacy Checklist:
🧠 My Digital Legacy Checklist
As someone living with dementia, these are the things I want to leave behind in my digital legacy.
📝 Personal Messages & Memories
Video or voice recordings of me sharing stories from my life
Letters or notes to family and friends
A list of my favorite memories and why they matter to me
A memory box folder (photos, poems, songs, etc.)
💻 Online Accounts & Access
List of important online accounts (email, social media, banking, etc.)
Passwords stored safely (e.g., in a password manager or written down and secured)
Instructions for how I want these accounts handled after I'm gone (delete, memorialize, etc.)
📷 Photos & Videos
Albums organized by people, events, or places
Descriptions or captions for key photos
Favorite videos that represent who I am
🎶 My Personality & Preferences
A playlist of songs I love or that bring me comfort
A list of books, movies, shows, or quotes I enjoyed
Notes about my daily routines and what makes me feel calm or happy
💖 Final Wishes
Messages for birthdays, anniversaries, or big life moments
Notes about what I’d like others to remember about me
My values, beliefs, and lessons I’ve learned in life
Any funeral, memorial, or legacy project ideas I care about
🛠️ Help for My Loved Ones
Names and contact info for important people in my life
Guidance on who I trust to handle my digital things
A list of where everything is stored (Google Drive, Dropbox, hard drive, etc.)
This is great info Pete! I know you are very methodical with your password manager software! A couple of things I would mention are firstly that a digital legacy is equally necessary for people with and without dementia especially when we get to retirement age! Secondly we all have things that we might not wish to be accessible to family members so perhaps they can be permanently deleted or password protected! Another excellent and insightful blog post, keep them coming!!
Hi, I’ll finally see you if virtually next week! I’m in two minds about this, yes what you say is true, however I am very wary of having too much Online due to privacy issues and AI.