Death Cleaning a Gift? Yes, Really!
Have you heard of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning? Sounds pretty grim, right?
In Swedish, the term “death cleaning” means “that you remove unnecessary things and make your home nice and orderly when you think the time is coming for you to leave the planet.”
Margarita Magnuson wrote this lovely little book, subtitled “How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter.” She gives great guidance for what to do with belongings no longer needed.
One client has taken the art of death cleaning very seriously. Given a terminal diagnosis with an uncertain timeline, Janet reached out last November and told me that she wants to get her belongings in order before leaving this world. She doesn’t want to burden her husband and children with the task of sorting through a mess.
Janet and I have cleaned out the garage, sorted through family photos and memorabilia, shredded papers, restored order in her office, found new homes for children’s toys, removed unnecessary items, and tidied the pantry. When we are working, she speaks honestly of her death; she grieves leaving her children, grandchildren, and beloved husband. She is enjoying the life she has now, even as she prepares to cross over.
At our last session, I asked Janet to speak to the process she’s engaging: “I do think it’s a gift. I don’t want to burden my kids with having to deal with stuff that they don’t have a connection with; they’ve been part of the process of trying to figure out what’s meaningful to them. I don’t want my husband to have to go through it either, plus it helps me categorize and figure out what’s important, what information I need for him and the kids to have, and what is superfluous. It makes me feel better. Things are in order and I feel more calm.”
Janet is taking responsibility for what she can control in a time where everything seems out of control. It is a gift to work alongside her; it is some of the most sacred work I have ever done.
“Swedish death cleaning” is a gift you give not only to yourself but also to those who will be responsible for your belongings later.
Cover of book Titled The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning