Dealing with the death of a loved one is always difficult. As well as the sorrow at bereavement itself, there is also so much administration that needs to be done. One of the most challenging tasks, perhaps, is deciding what to do with the belongings they have left behind.
If you need help and advice when clearing out your loved one’s property, there are services you can call on that are dedicated to bereavement clearance in Nottingham. Alongside our everyday house clearance in Nottingham services, the team at Midlands Waste Clearance also offer bespoke property clearance after the demise of a friend or relative.
Family members who have lost a loved one are inevitably distressed and can find sorting through their loved one’s possessions extremely difficult. It can be mentally as well as physically exhausting, and they just may not have the capacity emotionally to deal with everything that needs doing.
In this article, we will take a look at the steps you should take to help you clear and sort the house after a loved one’s death, including how bereavement clearance services can assist at this difficult time.
Your first priority should be to secure the property. If the deceased was living alone, it might be worth giving consideration to changing the locks. This will save you from having to chase up any copies of the front or back door keys that your loved one may have given to others, as well as provide you with peace of mind that the premises are safe and secure.
As well as notifying all the usual utilities and other service providers, you should also cancel any periodicals or subscriptions your relative may have had. This lessens the chances of post mounting up in the hall, which is often a clear signal to potential burglars that a property is empty. It also reduces the amount of clutter you will have to deal with over the coming weeks.
If you intend to hire bereavement house clearance in Nottingham, you should first go through the house to check for valuables and any documents you might need. Remove small items of jewellery and so on and put them somewhere for safekeeping. Documents you should look for include insurance policies for the house or related to the individual’s life insurance. You should also look for bank statements, documents related to private savings, or shares. Also, search for birth and marriage certificates. If you know your loved one kept a journal, personal letters, or poetry, for instance, removing them for your own perusal at a later date will help you keep their memory alive.
After all the paperwork is gathered together, you should then start to look through the remainder of their personal belongings. In many ways, this is the worst part of the process because it will naturally be highly emotional. Take it steady and be kind to yourself, having frequent breaks when necessary. If you are able to, carry out the process over several days or longer.
It may help to organise things by labelling them or placing them in separate piles. Typically, the four categories to use will be objects you wish to keep or pass onto other friends and family members; what can be sold; which items could be donated - to charity shops, for instance; and what should be thrown away.
Donating items to charity or otherwise repurposing them can be a comfort to some people, knowing that someone else will benefit from their loved one’s valued possessions.
In a similar way, recycling as much as possible can also help give some meaning to clearing a loved one’s home.
If you are considering this option, then here is a brief reminder of the kinds of things that can be recycled in Nottingham: appliances (including fridges, freezers, TVs, washing machines and dishwashers), bedding and blankets, books, bottles and cans, old catalogues, newspapers and magazines, coat hangers, garden furniture, knives, lawnmowers, polystyrene, plant pots, sheds, shoes, and wood are among the items that will be accepted at the recycling centre.
Bricks and other building materials can be taken to the recycling centres in small amounts. If you are disposing of car parts, be aware that they only accept used engine oil and car batteries.
If you are unsure what will and will not be accepted, give the centre a ring – they will be happy to confirm or signpost you to another provider who will take certain items.
Once you’ve cleared the home of paperwork and any important or sentimental pieces, you may wish to then get in touch with a company that can clear the rest of the house for you. Choose the company you use with care - you don’t just want anybody tearing through the house and clearing it out without due consideration and respect for the departed. You need a trusted, reliable firm that is covered by the appropriate insurances and properly licensed to carry out the work.
Do some research. Ask for recommendations from people you know who may have used these kinds of services in the past. If you don’t know anybody who can advise you, search for your options online and check each company out by reading reviews from past clients on independent sites.
You can also ring or call in and ask each of them some questions to evaluate their professionalism and whether you would be happy for them to carry out your bereavement clearance in Nottingham.
A good clearance company will be happy to advise and coordinate with you to deliver the services you need. They should have sufficient resources to carry out the project within the timescale they promise, and they should be open and transparent about how much the job will cost you.
Moving on after the death of a loved one can be extremely difficult, but some people find healing in carrying out all those administrative tasks that need handling after a death. While acknowledging the sadness at this time, clearing their home and possessions can provide a degree of closure.
When it comes to clearing the personal property of someone recently deceased, you may need a compassionate and respectful company to help you out.
At Midlands Waste Clearance Nottingham, we conduct house clearance in Nottingham and around the country. At your request, we’ll schedule a meeting with you to discuss your requirements and any special considerations. Our fully qualified and trained team will then carry out the work to our high professional standards and according to the agreed schedule. For more information, contact us today. For more information, contact us today or visit our homepage at www.midlandswasteclearance.co.uk.
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