"Losing a parent is difficult enough. But on top of planning a funeral and taking care of final expenses, surviving family members have to handle the belongings left behind, a Herculean task that leaves little space to grieve. My mom, Melinda Nicholson, is doing things differently. For the past few years, she has been practicing Swedish death cleaning to help me navigate her eventual passing, from organizing important documents to passing down heirlooms. It sounds grim, but it's bringing us both a surprising amount of peace and comfort."
""I was 15 when my daddy died," my mom recalls. "I remember there was so much he left behind, and after he was gone, it felt like vultures swooping in to take whatever they wanted. I didn't get to keep much that belonged to him.""
"One item she wishes she had inherited from her dad was a pearl-handled revolver, but it disappeared following his death. She recently found several of his belongings among her mother's possessions, including a watch, a Shriners' ring, and his military photos."
Swedish death cleaning involves decluttering belongings before death to ease the load on survivors. The mother, a retired police officer of 21 years, began the practice after experiencing loss and recognizing life's fragility. She is gradually rehoming family heirlooms, donating unwanted items, organizing important documents, and developing a deliberate system for sorting boxes and closets. Rediscovering her father's watch, Shriners' ring, and military photos reinforced the importance of preserving meaningful objects. The daughter participates in the process, becoming a caretaker of family history while reducing the future logistical and emotional burden and making new memories together.
Read at Business Insider
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