![]() Jo adds: “What’s important to remember is that grief is individual to each person, so what feels right for one person might not be right for another, and that’s ok. This will give a sense of meaning to the process, especially if the dead person supported the charity.” says Jo. This could make the dilemma of how to get rid of a deceased person's belongings – including items like a spouse's clothes, which can often feel emotionally charged – just a little bit easier. You never know what seemingly insignificant trinket has a great deal of meaning for someone.” “Ask friends and family if they would like anything before you start decluttering.These will be easier to get rid of and will help begin the process.” “Start with the least sentimental things.but Jo has a few pointers on how to make the process a little bit easier. How to start decluttering after someone diesĪs we said above, this can be difficult and will be different for everyone. It can be especially difficult, for example, to carry out decluttering after the death of a spouse. So there’s no shame in taking your time.” Jo explained: “Sometimes the trauma of losing someone close to you, along with pressures from other people, can cause you to throw out stuff which you might later come to regret. ![]() Of course, the opposite mindset can also be harmful. Jo adds that the guilt that surrounds throwing away a dead person’s possessions can sometimes last a lifetime, and that “some people feel guilty forever and won’t be able to get rid of stuff without it feeling wrong”. In this case it could be healthy to remove them.” She says: “If you cared for a family member or spouse in your home before they died, you can be surrounded by things that remind you of that difficult time. Jo points out how this can be particularly relevant if someone was cared for at home during their final days. However it is worth thinking about how some items might be negatively affecting your mental state, particularly if there are unhappy memories attached to them. Items that serve no purpose anymore, such as outdated trends or pieces that don’t fit your current style, can also be eliminated. Clothes that are faded, torn, or stained should be tossed or recycled. As with so many aspects of grieving, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer to the question of when to dispose of a deceased person's belongings.Įveryone is different, and you should never feel pressured into doing anything you aren’t ready for when grieving. Take a closer look at each piece of clothing and assess its condition. “On the other hand it could help the grieving process by going through their belongings and remembering happier memories of the person, not just those linked to their death.” How soon is too soon?Ī question that people always struggle with when thinking about decluttering after someone dies is ‘how long should I wait until starting?’. On one hand it could mean the bereaved person ‘cuts off’ their grief, as to remember their loved one constantly is too painful. Jo Hamer, the Bereavement Coordinator at the Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford, says that decluttering can be a practical method of accepting that someone has died. ![]()
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