All the work an organizer doesn’t occur in a vacuum. There are many circumstances that require the needs of professional organizational help, amongst the most difficult is the passing of a loved one.

Organizing & pairing down can be an emotional process on its’ own-people grow attached to items over the years for a number of reason. It’s that much more difficult when you factor in the loss of partner. Sometimes the physical affects of  a spouse can represent much deeper and complex emotional ties which make it hard to let go of the item which aren’t important. It’s a delicate process.

We’ve gathered a couple of helpful steps on helping you through the organizational process after the passing of a loved one:

Work at your own pace.
The grieving process is different for everyone. Do not force yourself to tackle the task of sorting through your departed loved one’s possessions before you are ready. If you are under time pressure, consider making the easiest decisions immediately and packing away the more difficult items for later decision making.

Make a plan for items you are not ready to make decisions on.
If you are not ready to make decisions about your loved one’s books or treasured collection, gather these items in one place and consider packing them away for later decision making. To avoid putting these items in permanent storage, mark a time on your calendar to consider revisiting these items that you are comfortable with, whether it be several weeks or several months after packing them away.

Involve someone else in the process. 
Whether it is a friend, a family member or a professional organizer, having someone else present can often make it easier to face this difficult task. An extra set of hands will also make the process of sorting go more quickly.

Keep only items that you love.
We keep items that belonged to our loved ones to remember them fondly, so only keep items that you treasure and that you can find a loving place for in your home. A storage area full of a departed loved one’s possessions brings about feelings of guilt and frustration, whereas a few beloved items that are honored with a place in your home bring about positive feelings and memories.

We have helped many with the process of organizing after the loss of a loved one-if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.