Shocked and saddened. My aunt passed away,I’m her last relative, leaving me to take care of her estate. She lived alone and was isolated. But I had no clue she was a horder. Every room looks like this one. I’m overwhelmed and so sad that I didn’t know therefore I couldn’t intervene before it came to this
Yes, that is overwhelming. You'll find many things to toss, donate and sell. Take one foot at a time. I'm sure some will agree that this will be easier now that she's passed. The emotional attachments hoarders have can make the process very difficult. Good luck to you and sorry for your loss.
I didn't worry much about selling stuff. I sold a few things. Gave away some. Donated a lot. Threw out most. I looked through for valuables and keepsakes. It's important to go at your own pace and not get overwhelmed. After it's cleared out maybe have a cleaning service if you can afford it.
Good luck and take care of yourself.
I'm sorry for your loss and that mess..
You'll get through it. Try your local Goodwill...some if them will clean it out and salvage for no fee.
That mess will be what you do one day-- be careful with your words...
So sorry for your loss. It will be a lot of work for you and I hope you'll have some help. So many people live like this and cannot get any help for their mental issues. My heart goes out to you.
Sorry for your loss. Please be very cautious who you bring in to help you
remove everything.
While there may be mostly trash among her things, you might find that there
are items of value. Both monetary and sentimental. Check pockets, purses, books, etc. Elderly people tend to stash money in the oddest places. Especially those who lived through the Depression.
Not saying she did, because I don't know, but there are reasons to suspect she may have.
Please protect yourself.
great advice! When I went thru my father's things when he past away I and my brother found almost 2 thousand dollars in cash in old books, coat pockets, and much of the money was hidden inside some of his collection of porcelain cat figures. It is amazing where people find to hide money.
Check the linings of her coats - my grandmother hid in them and I almost donated the coats to goodwill beforehand - the elderly have been known to hide throughout the house - I found thousands tucked in coffee cans and jars
This^^^
To my great horror found $800 in a travel purse last summer. In my own house.
Yes a lot going on but it made me feel crazy.
When we cleaned out my great aunts house we found potato chip bags, washed out and neatly folded in a closet! I am sorry for your loss and the mess, we miss the clues sometimes and it makes it hurt more.
oh my goodness! I thought we had the worst find...hundreds of burned out light bulbs...no idea why...
@Sharkymama You win on that one and I am sorry. The task of cleaning out is hard enough, but to find that sort of thing can mar the better memories!
Sorry for the loss. Please be careful where you place that information. You may find yourself surrounded by a bunch of lowlifes proclaiming their undying love for you.
She was a hoarder, eh? Look up everything that's more than 20 years old on Ebay.
You might want to look into a service that will clear out for you...they will sell or donate everything you don't keep...I am so sorry for your loss and your trouble...hang in there...
I am clearing out my stuff now so that I don't leave a burden to my nieces...