Death Cleaning Swedish Style

Death Cleaning Swedish Style

Decluttering helps you and loved ones downsize

David Seed Photography/Getty Images "The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning" explains this downsizing ritual. The latest export from Sweden isn’t a sturdy station wagon or a funky furniture store, but rather it’s a way of life. More specifically, it’s a way of end-of-life. It’s called döstädning, which translates to “death cleaning.” In the tough-minded ways of this Scandinavian culture, it’s a practice that’s more about relieving a burden on family than creating pleasant surroundings. Americans have taken note of the ritual, which can begin as early as one’s 50s. Margareta Magnusson, the 80-plus author of the new book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, explains the phenomenon. Q: What problems does keeping too much stuff cause your loved ones after you’re gone? A: It’s very time-consuming. Why should my family take so much time — having jobs, families and everything else they have scheduled — to take care of my things? Q: How do you decide what to keep or discard? A: with your family. It’s a delight to go through things and remember their worth. But if you don’t remember why a thing has meaning, then it has no worth, and it will be easier for you to part with. Q: You write that you should get rid of “private” items — such as diaries. Why? A: If you think a secret will cause your loved ones harm or unhappiness, then make sure to destroy such items. Make a bonfire, or shove them into a hungry shredder. Q: How does cleaning help the cleaner? A: The more I have focused on my cleaning, the braver I have become in discarding possessions. I have had a moment to reflect on the event or feeling, good or bad, and to know that it had been a part of my story and my life.

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