Maybe you saw a post about Swedish Death Cleaning on social media.
Or maybe you overheard a phone conversation in the Target checkout line.
You may be wondering, Umm … What is Swedish Death Cleaning?
Allow me to shed some refreshing light on this seemingly dark topic.
Swedish Death Cleaning is about decluttering your home BEFORE you die.
I know, initially, it sounds shockingly morbid and depressing, but it’s really not.
Swedish Death Cleaning Book
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, was written by Margareta Magnusson, who is between 80 and 100 years old, as she reveals in her book.
Margareta reveals, “I take it as a responsibility of my old age to tell you about my experiences, because I believe this philosophy of death cleaning is important for all of us to know.”
BOOK OVERVIEW
Swedish Death Cleaning is all about lightening your load—physically and emotionally—before it’s too late. But it’s not as grim as it sounds! Essentially, it’s about going through your stuff and letting go of things you don’t need or won’t be remembered for, all while making life easier for the ones you leave behind. The idea is to downsize gradually, with a focus on practicality and simplicity, and to only keep the things that truly matter. It’s like downsizing but with a bit of wisdom and a lot less stress! Plus, it’s a great way to reclaim your space and start fresh.
MENTOR
Throughout her book, she shares personal examples, recalling different times in her life as a teaching tool. She is very candid and not afraid to speak her experience for the sake of helping people … like page 65!
Margareta candidly advises, “Save your favorite [censored] — but throw away the other fifteen! There’s no sense in saving things that will shock or upset your family after you are gone.”
EXPERIENCE
She has personally been through three different Death Cleanings:
Helping her Father after her Mother passed, after her Mother-In-Law passed, and for herself.
SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING TV SHOW
There's even a TV Show on Peacock inspired by Margareta Magnusson’s book appropriately called The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.
SHOW OVERVIEW
It's a fun, lighthearted twist on decluttering with Swedish Death Cleaning! The series follows eight people as they tackle their homes, lives, and relationships before it’s too late. With the help of a quirky trio of Swedish “Death Cleaners” — an organizer, designer, and psychologist — they face their fears, confront their emotional baggage, and let go of the “stuff” that’s been piling up for years. Hosted by the hilarious Amy Poehler, this journey is filled with humor, heart, and hope, reminding us that by sorting through our things, we can live more fully and leave our loved ones with a lot less clutter to deal with. Because, hey, we may be facing death, but it’s the living that really matters!
Swedish Death Cleaning Goals
INTENTIONAL GIVING
Death cleaning lessens the burden on your family.
Whether it’s when you want to move later in life or after you’ve passed on.
And as a bonus, it creates peace.
Because you control who gets what by intentional giving.
“If you don’t death clean and show people what is valuable, once you die there will be a big truck that takes all the wonderful things you have to an auction (at best) or a dump.”
INTENTIONAL LIVING
Death cleaning is a great example of intentional living too. Your efforts can be a legacy for generations to come. Reflect on past memories and live your best life right now!
“Death cleaning is also something you can do for yourself, for your own pleasure.”
Swedish Death Cleaning Getting Started
CATEGORIES
Start with an easy category like clothing, and save sentimental items like cards for last. In her book, Margaret notes that she also worked in one room at a time.
Margareta suggests, “Start with a category that is easy for you, to give you momentum. Avoid sentimental items for now.”
CONSISTENCY
Be consistent, working a little bit each week.
The more practice you have, the faster you will become.
Margareta claims, “Trust me, the more time you spend going through your belongings, the easier it will be for you to decide what to keep and what not to.”
SUPPORT
There are several support groups for Swedish Death Cleaning that offer a space where individuals can connect, share their personal journeys, and get guidance from others who are navigating the emotional and physical aspects of decluttering with a focus on the future.
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Sharing and Caring Facebook Group has over 64K members.
Swedish Death Cleaning subreddit is a much smaller, likeminded place to get real about decluttering with a future-focused twist—basically, making things easier on loved ones when you’re no longer around.
Swedish Death Cleaning conversations are also happening on a larger subreddit's devoted to decluttering in general, with over 627K members.
It’s all about letting go of stuff that no longer serves a purpose or would be overwhelming for others to deal with later. People share stories, ask for tips on tackling those sentimental items, and learn how to make the whole process a little less intimidating. At its core, it’s not just about getting rid of physical clutter—it’s also about clearing up emotional baggage and leaving behind a legacy of memories, not just things.
The communities combine practical advice with much needed emotional support. Members chat about how the process of death cleaning helps them reflect on life, declutter their minds, and even have tough but important conversations with family about inheritance and possessions. It’s a mix of helpful tips, some laughs to lighten the mood, and a whole lot of encouragement to make the topic of death feel a bit less scary. Whether you’re cleaning out your closet or organizing your digital files for the future, it’s all about taking small steps that can help you live a little lighter.
Swedish Death Cleaning Tips
1. AGE
Start when your’e young. At a minimum, start around age 65.
The earlier the better! It’s much easier to go slowly and work at your own pace. Plus you’ll enjoy the process more when you’re in good health and physically fit.
2. SHIFT
How many times do we experience the same aggravating scenario again and again? But, we do nothing to change it. It’s like rewatching a bad TV show. It’s time to change the channel.
Margareta declares, “Sometimes the smallest changes can have amazing effects. If you find yourself repeatedly having the same problem, fix it.”
3. LOOK
Browse and enjoy looking in stores and magazines. BUT, train yourself to not buy everything, just because you like it.
Margareta reveals, “It took me a while to understand this, but you can enjoy all these things without owning them.”
4. LESS
Collecting can be fun.
Hunting for the missing coin, figurine, baseball card, or beanie baby is exciting.
Giving up space and giving up time to dust them, is another experience.
Less is best.
Margareta urges, “Too many pieces for decoration arranged on parade or in strange, affected compositions. Who will want to dust them, I wonder.”
5. GIFTS
People love to celebrate by giving gifts on birthdays and holidays. But, sometimes these gifts make better GIF’s and memes than presents. Regifting: the art of giving someone a gift you didn't want, and neither did the person who gave it to you.
It’s a time-honored tradition of dodging awkward “thank-you” texts while secretly hoping the new recipient never figures out the truth. Oh, you didn’t need another scented candle shaped like a cat wearing a bow tie? Guess what—neither did Aunt Linda. But hey, slap on some new wrapping paper, write a heartfelt “I thought of you immediately!” in the card, and boom—you’re not just regifting; you’re recycling with flair. Just make sure it doesn’t boomerang back to the original giver, or you’ll have a whole new “gift” of embarrassment to unwrap!
Margareta admits, “I do know people who maintain what we in Sweden call a fulskap, a cabinet for the ugly. A fulskap is a cupboard full of gifts you can’t stand to look at, and which are impossible to regift.”
Rather than hold on to something you don’t want, just donate it.
Excluding twice-over regift scenarios, someone liked it enough to buy it for you. So there’s bound to be someone else who will like it too. The phrase, "one man’s trash is another man’s treasure", is gold. Margarita has a straightforward approach.
Margareta supports, “If you don’t like something, get rid of it.”
Swedish Death Cleaning Questions (FAQ)
When you’re knee-deep in the chaos of decluttering, asking yourself the right questions can feel like a superpower. Be really honest with yourself.
"Does it bring happiness into your day?"
"Does it still function?"
"Have I used this pasta maker in the last five years, or am I just holding onto an imaginary life where I’m a ravioli queen?"
"If this item disappeared tomorrow, would I miss it, or would I finally have enough space to close my junk drawer without a crowbar?"
These little self-checks keep you grounded and help you realize what truly earns its keep in your home—and what’s just been squatting rent-free.
Here’s some reflective questions from the book to shift your perspective on clutter:
“Do you enjoy having all of this stuff?”
“Could life be easier and less tiring if [you] got rid of some of this stuff that you have collected over the years?”
“Is there anything we can do together in a slow way so that there won’t be too many things to handle later?”
Swedish Death Cleaning Results
Swedish Death Cleaning is like a breath of fresh air for your home and your mind. By clearing out all the stuff you don’t really need, you’re left with a space that feels lighter, calmer, and way easier to manage. No more stressing about piles of clutter or holding onto things “just in case.” Instead, you’re surrounded by items that actually make you happy or serve a purpose. It’s not just about decluttering—it’s about creating a home that works for you.
As well, the results make an impact beyond you alone—it’s a gift to your loved ones too. When you tackle your stuff now, you save your family from the overwhelming job of doing it later. Plus, it’s kind of a feel-good project. You get to stroll down memory lane, keep what matters, and let go of the rest. The result? A simpler, more peaceful life where you can focus on what really counts. Swedish Death Cleaning isn’t as morbid as it sounds—it’s honestly kind of freeing!
Enjoy your life. You only get one.
Margareta boosts, “[You] will feel so content and happy when [you] have done most of this work. Maybe [you] can still manage to travel somewhere, or buy [yourself] flowers and invite some friends to a nice dinner to celebrate all the work done.”
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