Losing a loved one can be one of the hardest things that you’re ever likely to go through and can send you into a whirlwind of emotions. Loss, heartbreak, detachment, loneliness, anger and even relief in some cases.

The thought of sorting through a lifetime of memories and possessions can be overwhelming and stressful and is often put off with the fear of disrespecting our loved ones after they have passed. Although some people chose to do it straight away as part of the grieving process; there is no right or wrong way.

How soon is too soon?

Clearing out your loved one’s belongings is something that is so personal to each individual and having spent some time talking with lots of different people, it’s all part of the grieving process. We all grieve at different stages!!!

Whether a loss was expected or sudden, having to go through personal items, decide what and where to donate clothes, what to throw away, what you want to keep… and then there is the question of ‘who gets what?’ So many things to think about at one of the hardest times of your life.

When it comes to clothes, some hold sacred memories, some still smell like them, and clearing out their wardrobe can feel intrusive right? It’s probably not somewhere you’ve ever been, (without them being with you). Where do I start, you might ask yourself?

It might be hard to get family members on board to help you, and that’s perfectly natural. Are you the strong one in the family? Are you the head of the family now? Whatever the situation, it’s important to get your family or friends involved to help support you.

During your period of bereavement, part of the process is often to have a house clearance especially in the case that you may have lost both parents. This can be a daunting task and is not to be rushed. Take your time and get a system in place.

Start with something small, maybe a small cupboard and work your way through each room, each cupboard, one at a time.
Start 4 piles in each room.

1) Charity Donation
2) Throw out (you may need to hire a skip if dealing with a whole house clearance)
3) Meaningful possessions to be shared with the family
4) Expensive items that you might want to sell (maybe to help pay for the cost of the funeral, put towards your children’s education or even treat the family to a holiday)

Emotions can run high when mourning a loved one’s passing, so try to stick together and make important decisions together. If you are struggling with your grief, it’s really important to talk to someone… and that might be a bereavement counselor or your family GP.

Clearing out a whole property can be a huge task, so you might consider hiring a professional. You might be faced with a tight deadline, find it too stressful to deal with or not live nearby. Hiring a house clearance specialist might be your best option.

For more information on House Clearance services, please click here.

What is the meaning of Bereavement?

Bereavement is a period of mourning or state of intense grief, especially following the death of a loved one. Bereavement is often a process that includes going through several stages of grief. Bereavement can also be used more generally to mean the state of having lost something very dear.