Self Storage Units After Death: Sorting Belongings in Peace

Losing a loved one is one of the most painful and difficult situations for anyone, from learning to deal with intimate belongings, managing paperwork, or simply learning to live with grief. Whether it was expected or out of the blue, nothing can prepare you for the aftermath of a death.

Emotions will often take charge over practicality, and one of the worst elements of grief is sorting through the deceased’s belongings and deciding what stays and what goes without causing too much stress or upset.

There is no timescale of how those affected will go through the different emotions or stages of grief, but having plans in place can help alleviate the pain of the process. Resources such as self storage units can support you in managing belongings without having to say goodbye too soon or spending too much time figuring things out.

Self storage units after death

To help you get started, we have compiled some advice on the next best steps to take when sorting and organising possessions after death.

Last wishes

Many who are deceased might put together a will before passing to help loved ones understand how they want everything to go once they are no longer with us. From a funeral plan to minor instructions on what to do next, but if a person dies without making a will, the law will decide who handles the deceased affairs and who inherits what belongings. Find out more about this here. 

To keep or not to keep

Deciding what to keep or put into storage is the most valuable step to better organisation and grief processing. It is easy to get stuck in the cycle of using self storage to keep absolutely everything, which is entirely understandable.

Clothes, for example, might carry a deceased loved one’s scent, or you may recall many special memories when you see them. But can you justify keeping an entire wardrobe of clothes that may never get worn again? Or could you decide to hold on to a few sentimental pieces and donate the rest to charity?

Furniture is difficult. While some may hold special remembrance, it is not entirely practical to keep every item if you are not going to use it. It is better to take the time to think about what should stay and what you can gift to someone who will give the pieces a new life.

Capture the moment

Instead of fearing you will forget, take pictures of everything you are getting rid of to keep the memories alive for a lifetime. You can then pass down the photographs through generations and tell a story that means the world to you. Take as many pictures as possible to truly capture the moment.

Feel the feelings

It is perfectly normal to feel guilty when getting rid of things that do not belong to you, but there is also an element of practicality to consider. It is also okay to store or dispose of items you have no use for, despite the temptation to keep everything forever. Self storage is great for personal items, but paying to keep an entire home in storage forever is not the most efficient option.

The best outcome for you

Even with the support of self storage and a dedicated plan, a post-death situation is incredibly tiring, emotionally and physically. It is crucial to put yourself first and take the time to organise yourself properly without putting too much stress on yourself or your loved ones. Emotions will come and go as the days pass, but as long as you are aware, you can get through the other side.

Reach out to others

You will not have to handle the struggle alone. Reach out to friends and family and see who wants to help make the process easier. Often many of us feel useless in such a painful situation, so being able to support practically can help ease the guilt and, most importantly, look after the people around us.

People can help in many different yet simple ways, such as helping move belongings from home into storage, making arrangements or even cleaning the aftermath. Every little thing can make a world of difference.

Support from Apex Self Storage

Hiring a self storage unit can give you time to not make drastic decisions about what happens next. We give you the ability to bring a long-distance family together, work through the trauma and organise the unavoidable admin of house sales, funerals and life after death.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can support you.