6. Closing thoughts

Many of us put off creating an estate plan, like writing a will, because it means we have to confront our own mortality. But then, life happens. Milestones like having kids, acquiring valuable assets, or the loss of a loved one remind us of the importance of planning for the future.

While thinking about our own death might be uncomfortable, taking care of our digital affairs now can give us peace of mind and make things much easier for the loved ones we leave behind.

—Sara Teare, 1Password co-founder

We spend our digital lives managing dozens if not hundreds of unique passwords. The strength of our passwords protects access to our finances, online personas, and entire digital lives. Most people keep their passwords to themselves, and rightly so. 

But the irony is that when we die, our passwords are the keys to granting our loved ones access to whatever we left them. And without a password-sharing plan in place, handling digital death will undoubtedly be more difficult than it needs to be. 

Our digital life is inextricably intertwined with who we are. Embracing ways to thoughtfully pass on access to the digital resources we use every day will not only be a kindness to our loved ones, but also a core part of our legacy.