What Information Should You Include in DeadSender?

Setting up DeadSender is straightforward, but deciding what information to include can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you organize your thoughts and create messages that truly help your loved ones.

Start With the Essentials

These are the things your family will need access to immediately:

Financial Accounts

• Bank account numbers and login information
• Investment and retirement account details
• Credit card accounts
• Mortgage or rent payment information
• Auto-pay accounts that need to be cancelled or updated

Insurance Policies

• Life insurance policy numbers and contact information
• Health, auto, and home insurance details
• Location of policy documents

Important Documents

• Where to find your will or trust documents
• Location of birth certificate, passport, social security card
• Property deeds and vehicle titles
• Tax returns from recent years

Digital Life

Don’t forget about your online presence:

Account Access

• Email account credentials
• Social media accounts (and instructions for memorialization or deletion)
• Subscription services that need to be cancelled
• Cloud storage accounts with important files

Devices

• Phone and computer passwords
• Location of devices and their backups
• Instructions for accessing encrypted storage

Professional Matters

If you work with clients or have business responsibilities:

Client Handoffs

• Active project status and next steps
• Where to find project files and documentation
• Client contact information
• Recommendations for who can take over

Employer Information

• Work in progress that needs to be transitioned
• Location of company assets you have at home
• Important passwords or access credentials

Personal Messages

Beyond the practical information, consider personal messages:

• Final wishes and funeral preferences
• Personal letters to loved ones
• Explanations for specific decisions
• Family history or stories you want preserved

Tips for Organizing Your Information

Use Multiple Messages for Different Recipients

Not everyone needs the same information:

• Your spouse might get financial details immediately
• Your business partner gets client handoff info
• Adult children might receive personal letters later

Schedule Delivery Thoughtfully

Consider when information should arrive:

• Immediate delivery: Urgent access needs
• 1-2 weeks later: Practical matters after initial grieving
• Months later: Personal letters for birthdays or anniversaries

Use Multi-Layer Security for Sensitive Items

For your most sensitive information:

• Add security questions only the recipient would know
• Share passcodes through a different channel
• Consider custom encryption keys for bank information

Keep Information Updated

Set a reminder to review your DeadSender messages:

• When you change banks or accounts
• After major life events (new job, new home)
• At least once per year

What NOT to Include

While DeadSender is secure, be thoughtful about:

• Information that changes frequently (include instructions for finding current info instead)
• Anything that could be used maliciously if somehow accessed
• Information better communicated through legal documents

Getting Started

Don’t try to do everything at once. Start with:

1. Financial essentials your spouse/partner needs
2. Digital account access
3. Location of important documents

You can always add more messages later. The important thing is to start.

Have questions about setting up your DeadSender account? Contact our support team.