Clearing a Home
Sorting through a whole life.
Clearing your loved one's home — whether after a death or a move into aged care — is one of the most intimate, exhausting, quietly devastating tasks. There is no deadline.
Legal first
Five piles that help
- Keep — things you can't bear to part with. No limit on this pile.
- Give — things someone specific would love. A grandchild, a friend, a colleague.
- Decide later — box it, label it, put it in a cupboard. Come back in six months.
- Donate — charity shops, op shops, community centres.
- Dispose — tip runs, council collection, skip bins.
The sensory things
The smell of their house, their clothes, their bedroom. If you want to keep the smell: seal an unwashed shirt or pillowcase in a ziplock bag. Keep a small bottle of their perfume or aftershave. These are not silly — they are love made tangible.
Hoarding situations
If the person was a hoarder, clearing the home can take weeks and sometimes requires professional help. Your council may have a special hard rubbish collection. Some professional declutter services specialise in deceased estates and hoarding. Please don't try to do it alone in one weekend — it's more than one person can carry.
Don't do it alone
Ask 2-3 people to help. Not to rush you — to hold the space. Have tissues, music, and food nearby. Take breaks. It is okay to stop after an hour and come back next week. The house will wait.
See all 27 guides in When someone dies →
From bluetulipco.com/library/after-death/property-cleanout — printed 1 October 2026.
General information only — not a substitute for legal, medical, financial, or therapeutic advice. Read the full disclaimer.
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