GitHub Successor settings
In GitHub there is an option to configure a ‘successor’. This is intended for managing the code portion of an estate when someone dies. I’ve done this reciprocally with a close friend who also works with GitHub.
From GitHub’s Copilot when I asked how this works (as there wasn’t great docs on it already):
Short answer: a successor cannot log into your account and cannot gain automatic full control of private repositories. Successors are intended to manage only public repositories (archive or transfer them); managing private repositories requires GitHub Support and additional legal verification and isn't automatic.
How it works and the process
Invite a successor:
Go to Settings → Account.
Under "Successor settings", begin typing a username, full name, or email, select the user, and click Add successor.
(See Maintaining ownership continuity of your personal account's repositories.)
What a successor can do by default:
Archive your public repositories.
Transfer your public repositories to their own user account.
Transfer your public repositories to an organization where they can create repositories.
Successors cannot log into your account. (From Personal repository access and collaboration.)
If the account holder is deceased:
A designated successor (or other authorized individual) can request further actions through GitHub Support. To request access or repository transfers after death, GitHub may require documentation (for example, a death certificate or obituary) and then apply waiting periods (7 days after a death certificate, 21 days after an obituary) before allowing successor-managed actions for public repositories. Contact GitHub via the GitHub Support portal to start this process. See the GitHub Deceased User Policy and the maintaining ownership continuity doc for details.
About private repositories:
The documentation specifies successor actions for public repositories only. Private repositories are not listed as transferable by a successor by default. Any request to manage or transfer private repositories will require contacting GitHub Support and providing proof/authorization; GitHub will evaluate and may require legal documentation. (See [Maintaining ownership continuity…] and GitHub Deceased User Policy.)
Other notes
Invitation events are recorded in the security log (successor_invitation.create/accept/cancel).
To proceed with any successor-requested actions after death, contact GitHub Support and include the requested identifying and relationship information as outlined in the Deceased User Policy.