Why Everyone Is Talking About “Death Cleaning” And It Is Not What You Think

Although the term Swedish death cleaning can be perceived as scary at first sight, it is quite simple when looking at it from the perspective of practicality, emotions, and well-thought-out actions. Also referred to as döstädning in Swedish, the practice involves slowly going through possessions and getting rid of the unnecessary to make future people feel comfortable.

The phenomenon was popularized by Margareta Magnusson, who released the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning in 2018.

She states that this should be done “when you think the time is coming closer for you to leave the planet,” as noted on wikipedia.org.


The practice fits into the general philosophy typical for Scandinavians, who encourage open talk about changes while caring for others and accepting their responsibilities.

Why does it feel emotionally freeing?

Not only does Swedish death cleaning create a space in the physical sense, but it also provides an emotional space. Sorting through one's belongings allows a person to reflect and think about what is important and what has real value. In many cases, such actions are therapeutic for those involved in the process, allowing them to slow down and consider what they really own.

Health.osu.edu states that people involved in sorting their belongings tend to feel less stress and better mental focus since the disposal of useless objects helps them deal with excessive clutter. The process of choosing what to dispose of and what to keep allows people to take charge of their property.

This way, they will not burden their relatives with additional problems during the process of sorting their belongings.

How to start without feeling overwhelmed

Initiating the practice of death cleaning in Sweden may seem to be a daunting task, but according to experts, taking a systematic approach to death cleaning can prove to be an effective strategy. It is recommended to start from the part of the house that is highly packed with things that one rarely uses.

As per the advice of Good Housekeeping, it is wise to group things according to their type rather than attempting to clean up the whole house at once, since this technique ensures that the person does not feel overwhelmed.

It is important to realize that the purpose of death cleaning is not to do everything perfectly and instantly; one should take baby steps at a time.

Why involving family can make a difference

One of the most important benefits associated with death cleaning is having an opportunity to engage one's relatives in the process, thus turning it into a cooperative venture.

Talking about the history behind some of the possessions not only helps preserve the family history but also ensures that their personal items find their way to people who will appreciate them.

As HGTV states, death cleaning with others can improve relations and bring back forgotten memories, allowing individuals to talk about what really matters to them and make sure that the right messages are being conveyed to future generations.

The emotional challenges people often face

It can be challenging to get rid of things because they might have some significance related to one’s identity, special occasions, and memories. People may experience anxiety and grief while letting go of their possessions.

According to experts at Pure Cremation, recognizing and accepting these feelings is crucial because it will help people move on from things without any haste. Breaks and patience are required to make the process easier and more comfortable.

This kind of emotional acceptance is the key difference between Swedish death cleaning and other organizing techniques.

Turning it into a long-term habit

Though death cleaning in Sweden is done only once, the ideas behind death cleaning can also be practiced on a daily basis to keep oneself organized and balanced.

HGTV notes that such practice makes people aware of their lives in that they focus on items that they really need and not just purchase things for themselves. This will result in a more organized life and less stress caused by having too many belongings.

A different way to think about decluttering

The concept of Swedish death cleaning presents an approach that transcends beauty and minimalist principles since it links organizing one’s life to emotional satisfaction in the long term. Swedish death cleaning challenges people to think about their possessions, why they hold on to them, and the effects these possessions have on themselves and others.

While at first glance, the idea of Swedish death cleaning appears hard to accept, it eventually turns out to be surprisingly pleasant due to its emphasis on clarity and intention.