Losing a loved one is one of life’s most challenging experiences. Beyond the emotional toll of grief, family members often face the daunting practical task of cleaning out the deceased’s home and sorting through their belongings. While cleaning out their house after a loved one dies can feel like a large undertaking, having a plan in place and setting aside the time can turn clearing out an estate into a very manageable task.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps to approach this difficult process with care, organization, and respect for your loved one’s memory.
Understanding the Emotional Impact
Going through a loved one’s things and cleaning up their space after they’re gone is an emotional experience, and as you go, it’s important to let yourself cry and express your feelings however you see fit. Many people take months before they can face this task.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for coping with these emotions—be kind to yourself in whatever ways you can, allow yourself to take breaks as often as you need and lean on your support system as much as possible.
Step 1: Secure the Property Immediately
Before beginning the cleanout process, you need to secure your loved one’s property as soon as possible by changing the locks immediately after their passing. Make sure the locks on the home are changed and forward their mail to your address.
Step 2: Locate Important Documents First
The first step before you start getting rid of anything is to locate important documents and items. Before digging through and tossing items left and right, make sure you have the essential documents needed to take care of your loved one’s bills and other affairs.
Key documents to look for include:
- Will and estate planning documents
- Insurance policies
- Bank statements and financial records
- Property deeds and titles
- Social Security information
- Birth certificates and marriage certificates
- Past bills and account statements
Step 3: Review the Will and Understand Legal Requirements
If your loved one’s death was expected, you may have already familiarized yourself with their will, but if their loss was sudden, make sure to carefully read over the will before starting the estate cleanout. Many wills are straightforward, but some are more complicated than others and may require a probate attorney’s counsel, and the executor of the will should choose the attorney if one is needed.
Step 4: Create a Comprehensive Plan
Whether you’re a single person cleaning out your deceased parents’ home or you’re a team of family members, having a plan in place will help you clean out a house after a death, because if you try to approach this project without a plan, you may find the process taking a lot longer than anticipated.
Consider these important questions:
- Do you have a deadline for completing the cleanout?
- Who will help with the process?
- What is your budget for professional services?
- Will you hold an estate sale?
- How large is the estate?
Step 5: Start Small and Work Room by Room
When it comes to sorting through your loved one’s items, it’s best to start small by beginning with the easiest items like papers, books, clothing, and small knick-knacks, then work your way up to more emotionally charged items like photographs or large items like furniture.
If you’re cleaning out an entire home, start with handling just a single room or closet and give yourself plenty of time to neaten each area before moving onto the next.
Step 6: Sort Items Into Categories
Create clear categories for sorting belongings:
Keep: Items with sentimental value or practical use for family members
Donate: Items in good condition that could benefit others
Sell: Valuable items that could be sold through estate sales or auctions
Dispose: Items that are broken, damaged, or unusable
Set aside any items that may be high-value for appraisal, even if you’re not sure what they’re worth, and experts recommend getting appraisals for larger pieces, such as fine art, contemporary design or antique furniture, silver, jewelry and antiques.
Step 7: Coordinate With Family Members
Allow family members to view the items within the home and take what they’d like, and create a donation pile of items that could benefit others. If possible, have your family members sort through and take what they’d like first so you have less to go through, which also ensures that you don’t accidentally donate something they wanted.
Step 8: Take Regular Breaks
Cleaning out a home after a loved one’s death is an emotionally draining experience, so make sure to take plenty of breaks throughout the process by taking trips outside for fresh air or having friends come over who can provide emotional support and moral encouragement as you go through each room.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, let yourself take a break from cleaning by stepping outside for a walk or grabbing some lunch then returning to the job later once you feel calmer.
Step 9: Consider Professional Help
Hiring help is a great idea if you’re on a deadline, as professionals are experienced in the common pitfalls one can encounter when clearing out a decedent’s home, have the right tools for the job, and have teams of people to help them accomplish the clean out in a short period of time.
Bereavement cleanout services provide families and friends with professional, time-efficient help in clearing out rooms and property full of meaningful possessions, emphasizing compassion, respect, kindness, and sensitivity as they make sure all items of sentimental value are set aside for safekeeping.
Step 10: Handle Special Considerations
Pets
If the deceased individual had pets, be sure to secure a safe home for them as soon as possible, keeping animal shelters as a last resort, as they may be put to sleep if not adopted out.
Final Cleaning
After everything is removed, deep clean the entire house and do a final walk-through by opening up the closets and cabinets to make sure nothing was left behind, and take the time you need to say goodbye.
Creating Closure
Do something special once you’re done by performing a ritual to mark the completion of your cleaning and to promote a sort of closure to the event—this can be as simple as playing your loved one’s favorite song or lighting a scented candle in their honor.
Key Takeaways
Cleaning out a loved one’s home is never easy, but with careful planning, emotional support, and patience, you can honor their memory while managing this necessary task. Remember that there’s no “right” timeline for this process—take as much time as you need to grieve while being mindful of practical considerations like property maintenance and legal deadlines.
Whether you choose to handle the cleanout yourself or hire professional services, the most important thing is to approach the process with self-compassion and allow yourself to feel whatever emotions arise along the way.
Helpful Resources
- Woodlawn Cemetery – 10 Steps to Cleaning Out a Home After a Death
- Budget Dumpster – Handling an Estate Cleanout
- Ever Loved – How To Clean Out A House After Someone Dies
- LoveToKnow – Efficiently Managing a Home Cleanout After Loss
- Dumpsters.com – How to Clean Out a Loved One’s Home
This guide is intended for informational purposes. Always consult with legal and financial professionals regarding specific estate matters.
