Sorting out the personal possessions

Please check the Will if there is one before starting to sort out personal possessions - a Will may specify gifts of particular items or may even instruct that all house contents are to be disposed of in a particular way e.g. sold to benefit a charity.

Sorting out a property
There are companies that will do the whole job for you and their details can be found under ‘House Clearance' in telephone directories. However, many families choose to do some sorting themselves. It can be tiring and sad but in some ways a comfort to distribute the person's possessions in the way you know they would have wanted.

Personal items will be kept by family members but the following may help you on what to do with certain belongings.

Collections and memorabilia
If the deceased had collections of items or memorabilia that appear quite old, that cannot be passed on to a family member or friend, then do try to keep the collection complete and arrange for an expert view on selling the items as a whole.

Personal and household goods
Electrical goods, such as washing machines and furniture, can easily be sold by local advertising if they cannot be used by family members.

Pets
It may be that someone has been taking care of a pet and now it is time to find a permanent home for it. Please call us and we can give you details of local rehoming centres if there are no family or friends able to do this.

Cancelling deliveries
Do make sure that all possible deliveries have been cancelled, including milk, papers, monthly publications, trade journals. Make sure window cleaners and other regular services have also been told.

Local charities
There may be local charities who would be grateful for the donation of items of furniture, clothing and other possessions. These may sold through their shops or re-used e.g to furnish a home for a homeless family. If clothing is to be donated to an charity shop it is often a good idea to ask sometime to take it to a shop at some distance from the immediate family - it can be distressing to recognise someone else wearing clothing associated with the deceased.