The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
After life: how Swedish ‘death cleaning’ helps with losing loved ones
The process also forces us to rethink our relationship to material possessions, writes Michael J. Coren
When my mum died last year, she left a will – unlike more than half of Americans. It was a small mercy because we could deal with our grief without lawyers or probate courts.
Her belongings were another matter. A few years before she died, my mum had moved into a one-bedroom apartment. It was mostly clean and tidy whenever we came to visit. So when the time came, we thought it would be manageable. We were wrong.
Over the years, my mum had added many things to the home. Yet she rarely let anything go. Behind the closet doors hung racks and racks of clothes, many unworn in years. Kitchen cabinets were stacked with pots and plastic storage containers. In the garage sat bulk orders of tissues and hot sauce. Each item, on its own, wasn’t unreasonable. The aggregate proved overwhelming.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies