After the loss of a loved one, it can be difficult to know what to do with the belongings that act as the sum of their life. Keep reading as we explore steps you can take to help you let go of the things they leave behind.
1. Give them an honorable goodbye.
As the old adage goes, “Funerals are for the living.” While this is true, even this knowledge does nothing to cushion death’s sudden blow. Part of letting our loved ones go is giving the sendoff that they would have wanted. If your loved one has left instructions on how they would like for their remains to be treated, you can use that as a guide. If they haven’t left any instructions, you’ll have to decide what kind of funeral services are appropriate and whether they would prefer cremation or traditional burial. Besides offering more options for a resting place, the cremation process allows you to plan a convenient time for the funeral service, allowing more family members to participate.
A crematorium treats the remains with the utmost respect, and cremation may save a lot of funds since you won’t be needing a casket or a burial plot. Still, this option is not for everyone and it’s important to speak with a funeral home director to weigh the pros and cons of each option.
2. Manage their estate.
Selling some of your loved one’s belongings at their fair market value can help offset costs such as funeral expenses, attorney fees, taxes, and executor fees. Whatever is left from the sale of their items can go towards offsetting any financial obligations they may have had before their demise. Whatever is leftover can then be shared among their will beneficiaries or donated to a worthy cause. It is also worth considering setting up online memorabilia to remember the legacy of the departed through the help of Forevory.
Depending on the value of the assets to be sold, the amount of advertising required, and the amount of time you are willing to expend towards preparing the items for sale, there are several avenues you can use to sell these belongings. Other things to consider would be how involved you would like to be with the prospective buyers. Of the many options to choose from —in person auctions, yard sales, traditional methods (newspaper advertisements), and online sites like eBay or Craigslist — holding an online auction is best advised.
Online auctions are best for large items such as motorcycles, RVs, and cars. Online car auctions are beneficial because they allow you to reach a wider net of potential buyers. Secondly, online vehicle auctions allow you to make great deals and get great bargains on your asking price. During this COVID-19 pandemic where social distancing is encouraged, online vehicle auctions can also help you eliminate travel costs while staying safe.
3. Donate some of their belongings.
Donating to a charity is a great way to honor your loved one. Before you decide to donate to a charity, make sure that no family member needs any of the miscellanea. For instance, if a family member is looking to move to a new home, they may welcome kitchen appliances or electronics.
While making a one-off donation to a single charity may be convenient, not all of your loved one’s belongings may be useful to these charities. Understanding that you are still grieving while trying to sort through your loved one’s belongings, thinking about specific causes to donate to can feel like an extra weight to shoulder. To simplify this, consider causes that were important to your loved one. If that also feels like a stretch, then consider causes that you deeply care about.
Here are some donation ideas to help you get started:
- Books: Your local children’s hospitals and organizations like “Reach out and Read” and “Friends of the Library” are great places to donate children’s books to.
- Furniture: The Furniture Bank of North America provides an environmentally and socially responsible way to offload unwanted furniture. Furniture banks work in close partnerships with housing agencies and social services to make sure that underserved and vulnerable families have access to home furniture that they could previously not afford.
- Medical equipment: If your loved one received in-home hospice care, or had a disability, the medical equipment they used such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, for instance, may prove useful to others with similar health issues. Consequently, organizations like the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, or your local ALS Association may benefit from this equipment.
- Clothes: You can donate professional clothing to charities like “Dress for Success” and “Career Gear.” Wedding dresses can be donated to “Brides Across America” and personal items like bras can be donated to child rescue organizations such as “Free the Girls.”
Remember to afford the recipient dignity by ensuring that the items you’re donating are in good condition.