This is one of the hardest things to do. I helped my mother-in-law and my Mum do this, and could not think how they faced it. It takes courage of the emotional sort. My heart goes out to all of you who have had to do this. Later on, when we are less raw, the things we keep, are such a comfort. I have a striped silky scarf of my Dad's, and of all things an Exmoor Hunt Tobacco tin. I also kept his tools, and every time I use one it's like holding his hand. My Mum left us specific things she wanted us to have. I have her rings, a bracelet, an old blue enamelled powder compact, and an old wooden elephant that every time I polish it I think of the past generations of women of my family who have done the same. My younger daughter will have that when I go because she loves it like I do. The compact has damage where someone trod on it during the war, when they were clearing up after an incendiary fell on their house. The memories and the stories that go with them are so very precious.