After someone dies, the world keeps sending notifications as if nothing happened. A package delivery alert. A “Rate your purchase” email. A reminder that a seller has shipped. For many families, closing online accounts becomes part of the quiet, practical work of grief: not because it’s urgent in the emotional sense, but because leaving accounts open can invite confusion, missed money, and sometimes fraud.
If your loved one used Mercari to buy or sell, you may be facing a very specific version of that task: close mercari account after death while making sure nothing valuable gets stuck behind a login. Mercari offers two different paths—deactivation (closing the account through the app) and a request to permanently close the account (often described as “delete,” though certain data may be retained for legal reasons). The right choice depends on whether you have access, whether there are active listings or orders, and whether there’s any balance that needs to be withdrawn first.
This guide walks you through the process in a calm order of operations—how to avoid common snags, what to do about a remaining balance, and how to reach Mercari if you’re an executor or family member closing an account for someone who has died.
First, understand what “deactivate” and “delete” mean on Mercari
In everyday language, families often say they want to “delete” an account. On Mercari, you’ll typically see two distinct ideas.
Mercari deactivate account (closing through the app) is the practical “turn it off” option. Mercari explains that account closure is handled in-app (not on the website), and that the company may be unable to close the account if there are active listings, in-progress orders, incomplete direct deposits, or a remaining balance. Mercari also notes that any Mercari credits remaining may be forfeited when the account is closed. You can review Mercari’s guidance in their Help Center.
Delete mercari account deceased usually means requesting permanent closure. Mercari’s help article explains that regulations can require the company to retain certain customer information, so the account may not be “deleted immediately,” but you can request that it be permanently closed. Mercari also points users to an email address for questions about permanent closure requests. See How can I delete my Mercari account? for the current wording and contact route.
For grieving families, the practical takeaway is simple: whichever path you choose, Mercari generally expects you to settle any loose ends first—especially anything involving money or active transactions.
Before you change anything, do a quick safety pass
When you’re closing a marketplace account after a death, it helps to treat it like you’re closing a small store and a small wallet at the same time. Even if the account is not a major asset, it can still be tied to payment methods, addresses, and messages that you wouldn’t want exposed.
If you have lawful access to the account (for example, the person shared passwords with you, or you are the authorized personal representative and can access their devices), take a few minutes to stabilize things before you start clicking “close.” Look for any in-progress orders or shipping status updates, especially if your loved one was selling. Check whether there are active listings that could result in new sales, questions, or disputes. Open the balance area to see if there is money that needs to be withdrawn, because mercari balance after death is one of the most common reasons closure gets stuck. Finally, make a note of the email address and phone number tied to the account, because support may ask you to verify details later.
If you are managing many online accounts at once, Funeral.com’s Digital Accounts After a Death: A Practical Closure Checklist can help you keep everything organized without turning it into a second full-time job.
If you have access, close the Mercari account in the app
If you can sign in, Mercari’s own instructions are straightforward: go to your profile settings, find the account edit area, and submit the close-account form. Mercari specifically notes that you cannot close the account through the website “at this time,” and that closure may be blocked if you still have listings, in-progress orders, incomplete direct deposits, or a remaining balance. That’s why many families succeed fastest when they follow a simple sequence: finish transactions, withdraw funds, then close. Mercari outlines these limitations in their deactivation and account closure guidance.
For families, the emotional friction often isn’t the menu path—it’s the uncertainty of what you might break if you do things in the wrong order. A helpful way to think about it is that Mercari wants the account “quiet” before it can be closed: no open storefront, no shipping in motion, and no money waiting to be transferred.
What to do about active listings and pending orders
If your loved one was selling, you may see listings that are still live. You may also see transactions midstream: a buyer has purchased something, the item shipped, and now there’s a waiting period before funds release. Mercari’s policies can prevent closure during these moments, so the kindest approach is usually to let the in-progress sale finish cleanly—especially if a buyer is waiting on an item that matters to them.
In practical terms, this is the “don’t rush the close button” part. If there are orders still in process, take a breath and focus on completing them, because that protects both the estate and the buyer from a messy dispute.
How to withdraw money before you close: direct deposit and payout timing
One of the biggest surprises families run into is that Mercari expects the balance to be removed before the account can be closed. Mercari’s help article on account closure explicitly warns to request a direct deposit for any remaining balance because the account can’t be closed until the balance is removed. See Mercari’s account closure requirements.
When you’re dealing with mercari direct deposit after death, the key is to understand what Mercari means by “transfer” and what kind of account is eligible.
Mercari’s payout instructions explain that you can request a transfer from Settings > Balance > “Transfer,” and that direct deposits can only be made to checking accounts. Mercari also describes two timeframes: an “Instant Pay” option that can arrive in about 30 minutes, and direct deposit that typically takes a few business days. You can review the current details in How to request a direct deposit or Instant Pay.
For additional detail, Mercari’s payouts guide notes that ACH direct deposits are typically received within 5–7 business days, and that each Mercari account can only use one bank account, a fraud-prevention measure that can matter if you are trying to connect a shared family account. See Getting Paid.
Most families find it easiest to take this in one steady sequence: first confirm there are no orders still waiting to complete or be rated; next withdraw any remaining balance to an eligible checking account using Mercari’s transfer options; then wait for the transfer to complete, since submitting closure while the deposit is still pending can create delays; and only after the balance is fully removed, submit the close-account request in the app.
Also note a detail that matters for families who are trying to be careful with small amounts: Mercari warns that any Mercari credits remaining in the account may be forfeited if you close. If credits exist, consider whether they should be used before closure rather than lost. Mercari mentions credit forfeiture in their account closure guidance.
If you don’t have access, contact Mercari as an executor or family member
Sometimes families don’t have access to the phone, email, or password manager. Or you may have access to the device, but not the account credentials. In that case, trying to guess passwords can create account locks and make the situation harder, especially if two-factor authentication sends codes to a phone number no one can use.
Mercari’s help article about permanent closure states that while they may not be able to delete an account immediately due to regulatory retention requirements, you can request permanent closure and contact them with questions. The article includes a contact email address for assistance: How can I delete my Mercari account?.
When you reach out, you’ll usually be most successful if you provide a clear, calm request and include the documents support teams commonly need for death-related changes. While Mercari’s exact documentation requirements can vary depending on what needs to be done, most companies will ask for some combination of a copy of the death certificate, proof you are authorized to act (executor letters, letters of administration, or similar), the account holder’s identifying details (name, email, phone number used on the account), and a brief description of what you are requesting (close, permanently close, or help addressing an outstanding balance).
If you’re managing multiple platforms, Funeral.com’s guide to digital executor responsibilities can help you feel steadier about what’s reasonable to do yourself and when it’s time to ask for help.
What if there’s a balance, but you can’t withdraw it?
This is where most families feel stuck: the account has money in it, but the transfer tools are locked behind a login you can’t complete. If that’s your situation, treat it like a customer support issue rather than a technical puzzle. In your message to Mercari, name the two goals plainly: resolve mercari balance after death, and close marketplace account after death to prevent future activity.
Because Mercari’s own account closure instructions emphasize that closure may not be possible with incomplete direct deposits or a remaining balance, you’re essentially asking support to help you complete those prerequisites without normal account access. Pointing support to Mercari’s own policy language can help them route the request appropriately. The relevant statements appear in Mercari’s account closure guidance and the payout instructions in direct deposit / Instant Pay guidance.
If there are also sales midstream, mention that too. Support teams often need to see whether there are in-progress orders before they can close an account, and Mercari’s guidance explicitly notes that closure may be blocked by in-progress orders. That’s why it’s worth stating clearly if you are also dealing with mercari seller orders after death. See Mercari’s closure limitations.
Protecting the estate: why closing marketplaces reduces fraud risk
Even if a Mercari account feels small, leaving it open can create avoidable risk. Marketplaces store addresses, messages, and transaction history. If someone gains access, they could attempt to reroute funds, make purchases, or harvest personal details. Closing accounts also reduces the chance of confusing email notifications that can feel like emotional “surprises” months later.
If you suspect any misuse—unexpected password reset emails, unknown purchases, or strange shipping notifications—treat it as a potential identity theft issue. The Federal Trade Commission points families to IdentityTheft.gov as a one-stop resource for reporting and recovery steps, and the FTC’s overview page explains how to report identity theft and find checklists and sample letters. See Report Identity Theft.
For a broader, family-friendly approach to managing recurring charges and account cleanup after a death, Funeral.com’s Closing Accounts and Subscriptions After a Death guide can help you build a “do this next” rhythm that doesn’t exhaust you.
How this fits into funeral planning: the digital and the personal happen together
Families often feel odd doing “account admin” while they’re also choosing flowers, talking to relatives, or deciding what a service should look like. But the truth is that grief often comes with parallel tracks: the emotional work of saying goodbye and the protective work of closing loops.
Today, cremation is the majority choice in the United States, which means many families are also making decisions about what comes next after the cremation itself—where the ashes will rest, whether they’ll be shared, and how to create something meaningful at home. According to the Cremation Association of North America, the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024. The National Funeral Directors Association reports that the U.S. cremation rate is projected to reach 63.4% in 2025.
If you are in that part of the process too, it can help to keep decisions gentle and staged. Many families begin with one primary urn and then choose smaller pieces later, when emotions settle. If you want to browse quietly, Funeral.com’s collections for cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, and keepsake urns can help you compare options based on how you plan to keep, share, or place the remains. For families who want something wearable, the cremation jewelry collection includes cremation necklaces designed to hold a small, symbolic portion.
And if you’re caring for a companion animal’s memory alongside everything else, Funeral.com also offers guidance and options for pet urns and pet urns for ashes, including how keepsakes work when a family wants to share remembrance across households.
A closing reassurance: you don’t have to do it all today
When you’re trying to close mercari account after death, it can feel like one more responsibility piled onto a week that already has too many. The goal is not to do everything immediately. The goal is to prevent avoidable problems: unfinished orders, money left behind, and accounts left open in a way that could invite confusion or misuse.
If you can access the account, focus on the simple order: resolve transactions, withdraw funds, then close through the app. If you can’t access the account, don’t panic—contact support and explain that you are closing an account for a deceased person, and that you need help with balance withdrawal and permanent closure. When you keep the steps steady and documented, you are doing exactly what an executor or caring family member is supposed to do: protect what matters, close what should be closed, and leave room for the rest of grief to be human.
For more support with the bigger picture—digital cleanup, practical checklists, and funeral planning decisions that can be made at your own pace—start with Funeral.com’s digital accounts closure checklist and move forward one account, one call, one breath at a time.
