Tidying up belongings of loved ones
In my role as a survivor counselor, I not only help relatives with the paperwork and the emotional part that comes to them after a death, but also with cleaning up their loved one's belongings.
One person will want to clean up their belongings very soon after the death, because this reminds them of the deceased loved one. But there are also people who are only ready to clean up the things that their loved one has left behind.
Cleaning up with and with relatives is a challenging task. It is often an emotional journey through memories and time for the bereaved(s). And it can also feel like closing a period in life.
What I often experience when cleaning up is that relatives dread it and don't know where to start. Together we get to work and during the clean-up process you see that people start to get "air".
With every piece that is cleaned up, they see the trees through the forest a little more. Of course, we reflect on memories and look at what is kept, what can be removed and what goes to the thrift store or is given a different purpose. As soon as the job is done, I always hear what a relief it is that the space is clear and tidy again. It is often indicated that by cleaning up they experience peace and space and they feel a lot 'lighter'. Despite the fact that it can also often be fatigued by the emotions that are released.
In this blog, you can read 5 important tips for cleaning up after the loss of a loved one.
- Take your time
Take the time you need and don't force yourself to do everything at once. It can also be done in small steps. Many small steps eventually make a big step.
- Make a plan
Plan what you want to tidy up and/or sort and consider tackling rooms/spaces one by one so that it remains manageable.
- Make sure you have the right tools
Prepare and/or prepare garbage bags, the vacuum cleaner, cleaning supplies, boxes, etc.
- Make decisions while cleaning up
Throw away, sell, donate or recycle.
- Get help
You don't have to do it alone. Ask friends and family to help with cleanup and decision-making. If the cleanup process is too overwhelming, enlist professional decluttering and decluttering services or a professional organizer to help you. Be aware that it is important to take good care of yourself during a grieving and cleaning process.
