It turns out, it’s actually kind of a problem:

Talcott, 69, a friend of beatnik Neil Cassidy, apparently took his password to the grave.

It’s a vexing, and increasingly common problem for families mourning the loss of loved ones. As more and more people move their lives, address books, calendars, financial information, online, they are taking a risk that some information formerly filed away in folders and desks might never be recovered. That is, unless they share their passwords, which poses security threats.

"He did not keep a hard copy address book. I think everything was online," said Talcott’s daughter, Julie Talcott-Fuller. "There were people he knew that I haven’t been able to contact. It’s been very hard."

"Yahoo (his e-mail provider) said it wouldn’t give out the information due to privacy laws, but my dad is dead so I don’t understand that," she said.

In another situation, Yahoo only gave out email passwords only when forced by a court order.  Google and America Online are a little more understanding:

Google will provide access to a deceased Gmail user’s account if the person seeking it provides a copy of the death certificate and a copy of a document giving the person power of attorney over the e-mail account, said a Google spokeswoman.

America Online follows the same policy, according to spokesman Andrew Weinstein.

Of course, the best thing to do is to avoid this problem in the first place:

The dilemma can be avoided by putting passwords to e-mail, photo, music and other online accounts in an estate planning document, attorneys say. E-mail providers don’t typically offer access to accounts of deceased unless without relevant documentation.

A will?  I’m supposed to have a will?