When a parent dies, clearing out their home can feel like one of the hardest tasks. It’s not just about tidying up or deciding what to do with their things. Every drawer you open, every shelf you look at, is a reminder of the person you've lost. For many of us, it’s a very emotional part of saying goodbye.
It’s not just emotionally exhausting. It can be physically tiring too. And if you don’t know where to start, the whole experience can be overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll cover the most important steps, helping you manage the process in a way that feels right for you.
Clearing out the house is just one important part of what needs to happen after a death. For more guidance and support, take a look at our free guide on what to do when someone dies.
1. Secure the house
Once the funeral has taken place and the house is empty, the first step is to make sure it’s secure. If you're unsure who has keys, consider changing the locks. Remove any perishable food from the kitchen and dispose of household chemicals safely.
If your parent had a pet and you can’t take it in, ask friends or family if they can help. If that’s not possible, get in touch with organisations such as the RSPCA or The Cinnamon Trust for help and support.
2. Gather and sort important documents
Start by collecting any paperwork you can find. It’s helpful to check drawers, filing cabinets, and even unexpected places like kitchen cupboards or boxes in the loft. Create separate piles or boxes for different types of documents:
- Wills and legal paperwork
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Bank statements and utility bills
- Property deeds or mortgage paperwork
- Insurance policies and pension details
- Personal letters or notes
Once everything is gathered, you can organise the documents by type or date. This will be especially helpful if you need to apply for probate.
3. Check if probate is required
Probate is the legal process that gives someone the authority to deal with a person’s estate after they die. In many cases, it will be needed if the person who died owned property or held significant financial assets in their name.
You can check government guidance online or speak to a solicitor to confirm whether probate is required in your situation.
4. Read the Will
Before clearing or distributing anything, take time to read your parent’s Will. It may include specific requests, such as passing down jewellery, photos or keepsakes to particular people.
Understanding and honouring these wishes early on can help avoid misunderstandings and make sure that the process is handled with respect.
5. Cancel or transfer household services
Next, make a list of ongoing services linked to the property. This might include gas, electricity, water, broadband, council tax, and television subscriptions.
Contact the providers to cancel or transfer the accounts. Most will need a copy of the death certificate before they can make any changes.
6. Start sorting belongings, one room at a time
Sorting through your parent’s possessions can feel overwhelming. Many people find it helpful to take a room-by-room approach. This keeps the task manageable and gives you space to pause when you need to.
Begin with areas that are less emotionally charged, such as the garage or utility room. Create clearly labelled piles or boxes:
- Items to keep
- Items to donate to charity
- Items to sell or get valued
- Items to recycle
- Items to throw away
If letting go of an item is difficult, taking a photo of it can help you keep its memory without holding on to everything physically.
7. Offer family members a chance to choose keepsakes
Before you give away or sell any items, speak to other family members. They may want to keep something meaningful. If relationships are strong, you might go through the house together. If not, it may be easier to invite people individually or in smaller groups.
8. Get professional valuations if needed
Some items may be more valuable than they look. This could include artwork, antiques, jewellery, furniture, or even vintage electronics and clothing.
If you’re unsure, contact a valuation expert or take the items to a local auction house. They can help you understand what is worth selling and what might be better donated.
9. Donate or sell what’s left
After everyone has taken what they’d like to keep, you’ll likely still have lots left. These things can be donated to charity shops, given away through community groups, or sold at a car boot sale.
If you’re donating, ask the charity about Gift Aid. If you’re a UK taxpayer, they can claim an extra 25% on the value of your donation.
10. Arrange skip hire or a clearance service
At the end of the process, there may still be items that need to be cleared. Hiring a skip or using a house clearance company can be a practical way to solve this problem.
Before anything is taken away, do one final check of drawers, cabinets and boxes. It’s not uncommon to find sentimental or valuable items tucked away in unexpected places.
11. Give yourself time to say goodbye
Cleaning out your parent’s house is more than a practical job. It’s also part of the grieving process.
Take your time, ask for help when you need it, and when the house is empty, allow yourself a moment to say goodbye.
