The Ultimate Moving And Storage Guide

What To Do With Your Parent's Possessions After They're Gone

by Gail Wheeler

If you have recently lost a parent, methodically going through their home and possessions might be the last thing that you want to do. If this arduous task has fallen in your lap, just remember that you don't have to make quick decisions right away. Here are four reasons storing items for now might be the best option.

1. Hold Items For Other Family Members

If you have had a loved one suddenly pass, all family members that have been promised possessions might not be able to retrieve these right away. If you are in charge of ensuring that items get to the right family members, don't burden yourself with shipping and coordinating this. If you can store everything in a storage unit, family members can collect their family mementos and items on their own time.

2. Store Heirlooms For Later

If there are family heirlooms that you would like to keep but you can't really incorporate into your current home, you don't need to part with these. Rent a self-storage unit to safely store these until you can rearrange things or have more space for family items. Don't just get rid of things that you would like to have in the long run but cannot accommodate at the moment.  

3. Store Items Until You're Emotionally Ready

If you are grieving the loss of a parent, going through all of their items might seem like too much to bear. If you are busy making arrangements for a funeral or other family matters, don't overburden yourself. If you are not emotionally ready to face your family member's personal possessions, store these until you are in a better place. You can then go through items with a little more clarity and not make irrational decisions out of grief.

4. Store Items That Might Be Of Value

Don't hastily sell off items at an estate sale if these might be worth more than you realize. It is a good idea to store items until you have the time to get an appraisal done properly by a professional. If you think there may possessions that are worth something, hold on to these items and get a proper valuation.

Packing up a loved one's home can feel like the final goodbye, so doing this with grace and sensitivity is important. Renting a self-storage unit will give you the time you need to address all items properly.

Share