Please take out the trash

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is a book that encourages us to manage our possessions before we pass away so the weighty task is not left to our loved ones after our funeral.

This Scandinavian concept struck a chord with us because we know what a great kindness it would be to our Probate Real Estate clients if more people followed its advice.

We know it wasn’t the intention of the decedent to burden their family this way, and yet, many weekends following a memorial service are spent sorting bank statements from Morning Glory seed packets, silver flatware from camping gear -- digging through screwdrivers with broken handles, dried-out marking pens and circa 1964 high school science textbooks to find the precious heirlooms tucked beneath. Then there’s the bagging and boxing of junk. The sorting and hauling too; trash to the curb, donations to charity.

This is not to say that you should spend your life in a sterile home without comforts and memorabilia.  But, do you honestly need those two broken vacuum cleaners in the hall closet?

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson.  Available at Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon.  Hardcover $12.22.                           

If you would like recommendations of helpmates who can assist you with your ‘spring cleaning,’ please give us a call. We have a list of highly vetted professionals to do the heavy lifting for you.