Q: what if the person is deceased?

I have the same issue. My father passed away suddenly and very unexpectedly leaving a practically brand new iPhone 6s plus. His APPLE ID is activated own the phone with an old email address that he hadn't used for years. So naturally when attempting to reset password via the "Send you an email" way - it sends it to the email address that he no longer has or has access to because it was provided by an old cable/ internet service provider (COMCAST) where he no longer has an account with, and hasn't for years!! Ugh! So it basically sends the email into the abyss where I cannot retrieve it. Now what?

His estate has had to buy the phone to close out his cell phone account. Its literally brand new and its JUNK?? Really??

If this is the case... Apple (whose products I love) is slowly becoming a nightmare of company that is screwing people right and left. I say this not only because of this issue, but because this would be just another issue of many Ive had with apple products in past year. Whats going on? And can anyone help?

All you need to do is bring in the proof of purchase (Either from an Apple Store or the carrier) and a death certificate into an Apple Store and they will remove the icloud lock.

Sorry about the loss of your father

If you bring the original documents of ownership and the death certificate to an Apple store (after making an appointment) they will be able to help

The best you're going to get is Activation Lock removed and the phone made usable again for somebody else after a wipe and reactivation. The contents are irretrievable. Note that from the technical perspective, it is identical to the FBI vs Apple case, where Apple did not comply with an FBI warrant to unlock a terrorist's iPhone and retrieve the contents. Did not happen then, will not happen now. More so with i6 and newer that have Secure Enclave.

Correct if it is locked with a passcode.

But the original poster states that it is stuck at the activate screen.

The contents are gone, in that case. And as I said, Apple will only help in recovering the AppleID password so it can be made usable again as a new device.

Thanks. Illl do that.

Thanks. I appreciate that. Its been surreal, and this shouldnt be so difficult to resolve. I appreciate your help and I will talk to Apple and see what they say.

Al the best - please let us know of any other issues we can help with

That is all I am looking for. I have already retrieved all the information and data I needed or wanted from the phone. I then reset it and force quit and restored it to factory settings. This wiped out all the data on the phone which is what I was wanting to do. However, the phone still is tied to his Apple ID and Im screwed unless either 1- He's alive and can deactivate the phone through FIND MY PHONE app. or I have his password to do it myself . So, thats where Im at and I think its going to require I bring my fathers dead body to an apple store.  (joking- but you get what I mean)

Thanks for respoding