And now for the Digital Executor

I had not given much thought to what happens to all the accounts, passwords and their content until Jacques brought it up yesterday. Never before has such a detailed trail been available for scrutiny by the executor and those left behind. Or is it available? Should it be available? It depends.

It seems Facebook, given sufficient proof and if the family so wishes, will either delete the account or put up a tribute page. Hotmail simply denies access to the account and burns the email to a CD that it hands over to family members. Suddenly the Personal Computer, email, private accounts don't sound so private do they? Of course, you won't really mind, but your relatives might.

Beyond making sure your passwords are in your safe, your Digital online executors can go through this sometimes extensive forest of decisions regarding regulations, accounts, passwords and sites.

But they should last at least as long as their clients and not shut down on the way like these guys!

For more food for thought before you shuffle off your mortal coil

• Selecting a Digital Executor
• The Digital Beyond Online Services List
• Undead email: reaching out from beyond the grave