The first step in clearing out your loved one's house is to make a full inventory of their belongings. Come with a plan, a friend, and a spreadsheet. It's easiest if you prioritize particular rooms and sort things by where they will end up. It can be an emotional task, but a little organization will get you through it.

Inventorying your loved one’s personal belongings

You can't hold onto everything your loved one owned, nor would you want to. But with a little creativity, you'll find there are many interesting ways to create a valuable piece of art or keepsake that will keep your loved one's memory alive. Consider turning objects or photos into jewelry. Cloth can be repurposed into quilts or pillows. And don't discount how meaningful it can be to learn a skill or hobby that they loved.

Creative ways of using your loved one’s things

One of the first things you may have to do after learning of your loved one's passing is to go to their home and secure the property and everything in it. A few simple steps can give you a lot of peace of mind about anything going missing. Change the locks, install cameras, and make sure to forward the mail, so that the house doesn't look empty and become a target for thieves. Consider taking the most valuable items home with you or securing them elsewhere. And always be on the lookout for relatives who might feel entitled to take a particularly beloved item for themselves.

Securing your loved one’s personal belongings 

Of the lifetime's worth of belongings your loved one left behind, how do you decide what goes where? If there is a will, it will give some guidance, but there may still be a lot of difficult decisions to be made. Can you divvy everything up equally? Sometimes, but then there is the issue of sentimental value. And not everything can or should be sold. 

Making decisions about personal belongings

From continuing your loved one’s legacy and easing the pain of loss to forming ongoing partnerships with different organizations and receiving tax deductions, donating your loved one’s belongings to charity comes with many advantages for both yourself and others. This sort of work can be a beautiful tribute to their memory as well as a source of personal joy and fulfillment.

Donating your loved one’s personal belongings to charity

Selling your loved one’s belongings can be a big task. Consider whether you want to sell individual items or hold an estate sale. Should you choose the latter, there are some things you might want to know and consider before settling on a company. Should you choose the latter, there are some things you should know and consider. You might want to ask prospective companies about their certifications and accreditation, service charges, and insurance coverage. Do some background research and check in with your gut feelings before settling on a final decision.


Selling your loved one’s household belongings

Saving keepsakes and mementos is one way people choose to remember their loved one and hold them close. When it comes to deciding who can keep what, things can get a bit complex. Many families choose to work out a system that seems fair to them all. Taking turns works for some, or choosing names from a hat, or allocating points. The important thing is to keep lines of communication open and get everyone to agree. And to keep in mind that your relationships are what is most important.

It’s the little things: Dealing with keepsakes

What happens to your loved one’s belongings after they die? From changing the locks to sorting through old treasure troves, the management of your loved one’s property can be a complex and emotionally charged episode in your grieving process. Take your time and surround yourself with people who can help. Dealing with your loved one’s belongings can bring up a whirlwind of emotions for everyone involved with this task. There are several steps you can take to mitigate family conflict, should it arise in the process.

Clearing out the house without burning bridges

While you’re grieving the passing of a loved one, you might find yourself in charge of or a part of clearing out their home. Decommissioning your loved one’s home can be overwhelming and exhausting, regardless of the size of the house or how many belongings are in it. Practicing deep breathing, using organization materials (boxes, big bags, labels, markers), and setting personal boundaries are some of the steps you can take to make this seemingly daunting task a little more manageable.

Dealing with your loved one’s household items

Saying goodbye to your loved one's belongings can be hard when complicated emotions and cherished memories are associated with them. Take things slow and be kind to yourself as you sort through and part with these tokens of your loved one’s life. Setting limits for yourself and/or using storage units can help make this task feel a little more manageable.

Letting the little things go

How to handle illegal items in your loved one’s possession

Employer Resources

Personal Belongings

The House

Property & Assets

Applying for Benefits

Managing Accounts

Taxes

Bills & Debt

Searching for Documents

Informing Others

The Will

The Funeral

Probate

Immediate Arrangements

Identity Theft Prevention

Grief & Grieving

Empathy partners with American Family Life Insurance Company 

Partnering with American Family Life Insurance Company 

Help employees bring their whole selves back to work

For Employers

Proven solutions to meet your clients’ needs

For Consultants

For Life Insurance

For Health Plans

Business

Holistic support for families after losing a loved one

Loss Support

Comprehensive estate planning with Empathy LifeVault™

Legacy Planning

Solutions

Families

Individuals

How to build bereavement care into your company

Personal Belongings

No matter what you’re dealing with, we have the knowledge you need right now.