As more and more memories are stored digitally rather than in photo albums, record collections and handwritten letters, bereaved families are struggling to access their loved ones' phones and tablets.

While digital assets usually have no financial value, they usually have a sentimental value and can be a comfort to families.

Whether they want to look at photos or shut down a Facebook account, families are becoming so desperate that they are even resorting to asking undertakers to use the corpse's fingers to unlock a device, as reported by The Times.

Terms and conditions from companies like Facebook and Apple are so strict that they make it almost impossible to access loved ones' accounts, even if they have been left a device in a will.

The Law Society is now drawing up guidance for solicitors on how they should deal with digital legacies. Currently the only way for people to ensure their loved ones can access their devices and digital accounts after death is to ensure they pass on their passwords to family before their death.

A quick ring round of undertakers in Gloucestershire has revealed requests to unlock a phone or tablet haven't yet been received in the county.