It is difficult when a parent dies, and it can be made more challenging to go through the belongings they left behind. There are a lot of memories and valuables to sort through, and it can feel overwhelming amid your grief.
Give Yourself Time to Grieve
Know that you do not need to sort through everything immediately. Give yourself time to grieve and go through your parent’s belongings at a pace that will not overwhelm you further. Giving yourself that time will aid in avoiding a rash decision on an item you may regret later on. Place things in various piles and ask other family members if there is anything that they want to keep for themselves.
Consider Selling or Donating
Once you have everything in piles and family members have claimed the things they would like to keep, it is time to figure out what to do with the rest of the belongings. Consider doing an estate auction or sale and dividing the money made amongst family members.
If you do not want the hassle of doing a sale or auction, consider donating the rest of the items and giving them to people in need. It may be soothing to know that even though your parents are no longer with you, their belongings are helping others in need.
Keep the Sentimental Items
Do not feel as though you need to get rid of everything. You may have many belongings your parents owned that you cannot let go of. Do not feel guilty if you decide to keep those sentimental items. They may not be items for daily use, but there is no shame in packing them away and keeping them somewhere safe.
Remember, one of the worst things you can do is make hasty decisions that you will retreat later. Take a breath, let yourself grieve, and go through their belongings at your own pace.
