The Sacred Work of Cleaning Out after a Death

My mother-in-law died three weeks ago. She lived near us, and my husband was responsible for her affairs; no other family members live nearby. After she passed, I told my husband that I would coordinate cleaning out her apartment. First, I spent many hours removing items that had no value, and organizing things so other family members could see what was left and choose items important to them. Once the funeral was over and family had returned to their homes, a friend helped us pack up what was left. We donated many items to nonprofits seeking what we no longer need. Yesterday a local nonprofit picked up almost all the furniture to help those who have suffered misfortune, and a few items were donated to a nonprofit that collects fine home goods through the year for their big fundraiser.

Before leaving the apartment, I prayed for my in-laws and lifted gratitude for their presence in my life, as well as for the care they received in their last years. Upon returning the keys and thanking the staff of the community where Mom lived, I was surprisingly emotional. I teared up again when speaking with my husband later in the day, noting that the process of clearing out the apartment was sacred work. This Christmas the gingerbread ornaments will be on our tree, a small sample of the many gingerbread items in Mom’s place; this was a woman who baked gingerbread cookies for the better part of five decades, passing the tradition on to us. I was honored to have the opportunity to serve my in-laws one last time.