Experiencing a death in the family can be a harrowing time for several reasons. Often, it is not the loss that can feel like the hardest part, but what the person leaves behind.
A house, a room, or even a small trinket, all of these can serve as a reminder of a loved one. This means that when a loved one dies, and the time comes to manage their belongings, the labour of doing so can be incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally.
In this guide, we will look at important factors to consider in managing the deceased’s belongings correctly.
Understanding Probates & When Home Clearance Can Legally Begin
What is a probate?
When a loved one passes away, you may feel it’s best to begin clearing items from their home straight away; either to keep them for sentimental value, to share with others, or even to donate to charity.
However, it is essential to determine whether a probate is required before proceeding. As defined by the UK Government, probate is ‘the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money, and possessions (their ‘estate’) when they die’.
Whether a probate is necessary or not will depend on your loved one’s financial circumstances before their passing.
For more information, the UK government have outlined general guidelines here.
It is recommended that the probate process begins as soon as possible, as it can take some months to resolve.
When to begin clearing their property
If a probate is indeed required, you may need to hold off removing any valuable items and assets.
However, if the house itself is non-probate, you can begin removing items. While you may be keen to move the process along to minimise what can be an uncomfortable period, taking your time and allowing yourself to grieve at the right pace for you is essential.
1. Take your time
There is no correct length of time for grieving, so give yourself time to think and settle into your emotions. Approaching clearance with as clear a mind as possible will make the process more manageable in the long run.
2. Don’t do it all at once
Not only is home clearance a mentally intense task, but it can also be physically arduous.
If a loved one has passed at an older age, you may want to consider how many belongings they have built up over time.
Plan accordingly and consider taking some time off work to give yourself an opportunity to recharge in between.
3. Reach out for help
While it can be easy to take a lot of the weight on your shoulders to minimise inconvenience to others, allowing friends and family to support you during this time is always worthwhile.
The old saying that ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ rings true here, with both the physical and mental burden that this time can bring.
How to manage the deceased’s belongings
While clearing items can be a cathartic experience, you may be left wondering where to store your loved one’s possessions.
Luckily there are several options available.
Sentimental value
Of course, one of the most common ways of dealing with these items is to keep the ones that remind you most of the deceased. These items, whatever they may be, are valuable, as they can keep us close to those we have lost.
Items with sentimental value can often be of high monetary value as well, such as jewellery, pens, or art; but, they might even be simple scraps of paper with their handwriting on it, or an item of clothing that has their fragrance on it.
While it may be overwhelming to keep too many of these items, be sure to take your time, no matter their value outwith sentimentality.
Sharing with family & friends
Sharing the burden of a lifetime’s worth of possessions can be hard on anyone, for emotional reasons, and practicalities of physical space. If you’re low on extra space in your home, sharing possessions among family members and friends could be a suitable solution.
Not only might they find practical or sentimental value of their own, but should you change your mind, or need a temporary solution whilst you make up your mind, reaching out to those closest to you can be a great solution.
Donating to local charities
Further to the previous point, sharing items of potential value with the public via charity shops is a kind way to circulate the belongings of the deceased, ensuring that they see value in ways that may not always feel appropriate or comfortable with those close to those who have passed.
However, it should be noted that charity shops are not dumping grounds, so ensure that the items you donate are of a quality that you feel would be worth something to a member of the public.
If you’re unsure what you can give to charity shops, read Empathy’s article that provides an in-depth guide on the subject of donating a deceased person’s items to charity shops.
Keep items while you decide what to do with them
After a loved one passes, it’s completely normal to feel unsure how to proceed, especially as there can be a lot of factors at play. If you need to take the pressure off and want to take a pause on managing their possessions, a self-storage space is a suitable option.
Not only are they affordable and secure, but the additional space can also take the pressure off your home life, avoiding clutter and unnecessary crowding in what may be an already busy family home, or small flat.
Doing so can also allow you to take stock, and work out what else to do with the remaining items:
- Auctions: With higher value items, such as heirlooms and collectables, putting them to auction can be a suitable alternative to donating to charity, or giving to friends and family. Using a storage space to keep these items before auction is a good way to keep them safe and secure, and away from any damage that may occur in the home.
- Recycling: For lower-value items, recycling items is a sustainable alternative to discarding the item(s). Locate your local recycling centres to find out more.
- Discarding: Finally, any items that are of low or no value to yourself or the public aren’t worth holding onto.
What type of paperwork should you keep?
There are several items worth holding onto when managing the affairs of the deceased. While depending on your situation, this list may vary, but generally, you should keep hold of:
- Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- Copy of the deceased’s will
- The original birth, marriage and death certificates for the deceased and their spouse
- Letters from HM Revenue with tax clearances
- A copy of the Estate Accounts
Summary
Remember, this can be a challenging process, no matter your circumstances, and proceeding in a way that works for you and your loved ones is vital.
While there are many factors to consider, take your time, and prioritise your emotional and physical well-being wherever possible.
For a useful storage solution that can take the stress out of clearing possessions, click here.