What happens to my Netflix account when I die?

Move the profiles first

Each person's profile holds their recommendations, viewing history, My List, game saves and settings. Netflix's profile transfer moves a copy of a profile to a new account or an existing account, or the profile itself to an extra member slot, and Netflix says the member and the people using the member's account can do it.

A profile can only be transferred from an active account, so do this before anyone cancels. A Kids profile can't be transferred, and a profile with a PIN needs the PIN removed first. If transfers were switched off on the account, switching them back on takes two days, unless someone confirms it from the email Netflix sends.

See who else loses Netflix

Netflix ties an account to one household, the main place where it's watched. Anyone outside it who was added as an extra member has their own account and password, but Netflix says that if the main account is canceled, the extra member slots are canceled too.

So the grown-up child in another city may lose Netflix along with the main account. Tell them first. They'll need a membership of their own. Netflix's Extra Members page says an extra member can get their own plan from their own login, and that one who rejoins with the same login within 24 months still has their profile, favorites and viewing preferences.

Cancel it, with or without the login

Netflix's page for a member who has died gives two ways. If you have access to the account, click Cancel Membership on the Account page and, if needed, sign out of all devices.

If you don't have access, gather two things and contact Netflix, which says it will cancel the account on the member's behalf: the email address or phone number on the account, and the full payment information currently used to pay for it. The page doesn't mention a death certificate.

If there's no cancel button, find who bills it

Some memberships are paid through another company, which Netflix calls a payment partner. Then the Account page shows no way to cancel. Its Membership section has a link, or instructions, for canceling with that company instead. A Netflix charge that isn't on the credit card statement may be on a bill from someone else.

Know when the charges stop

Netflix says you won't be charged again after canceling unless the account is restarted. If there's time left in the billing period, Netflix can still be watched until it ends, and then the account closes. Signing out, or deleting the app, cancels nothing. Netflix's cancellation page doesn't mention a refund for a month already paid.

Keep it from starting again

A canceled account isn't gone. Netflix keeps the viewing activity, recommendations, ratings and account details for 24 months, so that the account can be restarted. Anyone still logged in on an old TV could restart it, and the charges would begin again. Netflix's own advice is to change the password after canceling and tick the box that signs out all devices.

What to set up now

The Netflix pages we read describe nothing you set up ahead of time for this: no person to name, no setting to choose. What helps is a short note. Say which email address or phone number the account is under, whether Netflix bills you or another company does, who should cancel it, and who will want their profile moved first.

The list of what you've watched can stay between you and Netflix.