10 Tips for Cleaning out a House after a Death

Parting with your loved ones possessions and cleaning out their house is one of the hardest things to face after a death. We have put together 10 tips below to help you face this daunting task.

During a bereavement sorting and moving your loved one's belongings is one of the saddest processes after the loss of a loved one. It can be weeks or months before you can face doing it when you're grieving.

Sometimes, if the estate is valuable, you may not even be allowed to start distributing possessions if they are going through probate.

Many parents who have lost children keep the child’s room exactly as it was. They derive comfort from being in the child’s room, feeling close to them there. This is often where many of the memories remain. Eventually parents often get the strength to move on and share their child's precious things with friends and charities.

This is a good time to get help from a sympathetic friend or family member but It can often be distressing for other family members to to cope with too.

It is a daunting task and you feel as if you are throwing out part of your loved one’s lifetime. However it is all part of the grieving process and the journey to acceptance.

Here are 10 helpful tips to help you cope with sorting your loved one's things:

Don't be surprised if you get upset. Many people take months before they can face this task.
Don't be afraid to go down memory lane as there will be lots of happy memories too, as you remember where you bought that shirt on holiday or when she wore that dress at a wedding.
Give family and friends gifts of your loved ones treasures. Something to remember them by.
Get a supportive friend to help you.
Decide what is going to your loved one's favourite charity shop. It's a good feeling to know things are going to a good cause.
If you do get too upset leave the job, go for a walk, or out to lunch.
Do the task over a few sessions. It doesn't have to be done in a rush unless a house move is imminent. It's best to take several days or weeks to finally complete the job. Some people have many possessions so it can be a long job. Once started it does become easier.
You could get a family member to do it for you, but you might regret it. You probably want to do this for your loved one. You may know that a watch was to go to a grandson, a necklace to a niece.
If you have a few close relatives, they may want to help and choose items they would like for themselves or grandchildren. Many hands make light work. You can do this.
Don't throw away things because you can't bear to look at them now. You might regret it later when you wish that you had kept some special keepsakes.

Whatever you do, don't rush it if you don't need to. Don't force the issue if you are not ready. You will know when it is the right time for you. Read more pages on this site about 'Dealing with Grief' and you will gradually come to terms with what you need to do.

Looking after the pets

This can be one of the most heart wrenching parts of cleaning out a house after a death.

If there is a pet which has nowhere to go - do try and find a sympathetic relative or friend to take in the animal. Your loved one would have wanted to know that their beloved companion was being well cared for. If you really can't find anyone to re-home the animal, then ask for help from the RSPCA or try and find a local group that re-homes pets. Avoid the local dog pound if you can, as they are likely to have to put down the animal if it isn't re-homed within a certain period of time.

Where to get help:

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Hypnosis for Grief - 10 Ways It Can Help You

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