Do you worry what will happen to all your belongings when you die?

My dd & her dh bought a load of furniture from the relatives of an old lady who’d died. They’d moved to a bigger house and had almost nothing to put in it! They got a table & eight chairs, a massive triple wall unit and a rather nice console sideboard for £150.

It will be replaced eventually as it’s not in that good condition but it’s serving a purpose for now.

I have done a lot of clearing out and photographed ornaments etc with interesting stories attached and sent copies to my children. That will make it easier for them to decide. My children and grandchildren are all quite sentimental. I’ve written on the backs of all the photos, who, where and when.
I do feel a little sad sometimes as some things have been in the family a long time and are very dear to me, but I suppose they’re only things!

SueDonim, yes I am amazed when I hear that 'no-one wants dark brown wood'. If I was trying to get a home together with little money I would accept dark brown wood and buy some sandpaper and paint (well, as we did years ago).

We do have an upcycling centre near us and take stuff there.

DH won’t part with anything. The child (of his) he has most contact with lives in Australia; the other 2 are pretty estranged. My children (in the UK) shouldn’t have to sort his rubbish if he dies after me and I certainly don’t want the hassle of getting rid of his stuff if he predeceases me - it is becoming a bigger and bigger worry to me

We are in the process of having a really good clear out of clutter, but have also had the monumental task of clearing my Mum's house this summer. I totally agree with the post upthread which speaks of this process as being a part of grieving. Some parts have been unbearably difficult but other parts have brought great joy and she remains all around us. A gift that keeps on giving.

Every time we visited mil she would say this or that item was worth quite a lot. Of course it wasn't and when she died it had to be taken to the tip. Belongings are valuable to the owner and I am under no illusions that most of my "stuff" will be put into black bags. I would hope my dogs will be loved.

It’s funny, though, that with all the talk on climate change and the environment, it’s near-impossible to get rid of old furniture. No one wants it.

A friend downsized her home and her substantial wooden book cases/wall units ended up in the council skip. She couldn’t sell them and no charity would take them either, as they said no one would want them.

My friend died last year and her husband was 9bviously not interested in the getting rid of or filing of things but now he's left with the mammoth task of getting rid of all the stuff she hoarded

My family have already said that they don't want our possessions (we have some original paintings that we love) - so my jewellery is listed in the Will with the people it's bequeathed to - what they do with it is up to them. Our specialist "stuff" from one specific artist is to be sold. Anything not specified can be given away. Our Estate/s will go to Charity (about 29 of them up to now). I DO tend to hoard, but have no doubt that my executrix will dispose of anything not specifically bequeathed. I won't be here to see it - so even if she does NOT do as I ask - will it really matter? Probably not!

I have reduced what I hoard for this reason, but still need to have a good clear out. Have put a list of items I want to go to certain people and places with my will, though.
I also don't keep clothes for 'best' any more - wear good things all the time, cos they'll finish up in black bags going to the charity shops!

As long as someone scatters the ashes of my dogs either on my grave or maybe a little cremation plot(Not decided that yet)
I do not care about the stuff left behind after all I wont know about that.

I admit I do have moments when I worry about what will happen to my belongings when I die. As I have chronic health problems that will continue to deteriorate I have made a start on all the things I need to do to put my affairs in order, as such. I am currently in the process of re-writing my will as I did it 20 - 25 years ago and things have changed since then. I have got a folder and am organising paperwork, putting in lists and the locations of the couple of of items that may have some monetary value, lists of people to notify of my death, a brief note and short tape of funeral wishes (pretty much keep it cheap & simple). My better half & his business partner will make a coffin/box for me unless they can find somewhere that accepts natural burials in a shroud. They will also plant a tree or two and scatter some wildflower seeds. I've included a list of things like my bank details, a few Premium Bonds and any details for online stuff that might be relevant or worth anything. If any cash could be raised from selling any of my belongings it would be donated to our local animal rescue charity. This week I shredded diaries and other paperwork from the last 20 or so years - only when I looked at the huge sacks of shredded paper did it really sink in how much stuff/crap I'd kept over the years, and it has motivated me to be a bit more ruthless in getting shot of other stuff. I've been trying to tackle the easier things first but photos are next (can't even remember who a lot of the people in the photos are so hopefully won't be too sentimental over some of them). Then it's the monumental task of books, and clothing - I did a shoe clear out a few months ago but now I'm on a bit of a roll there are probably more pairs that can go. A big bag of CDs, videos & DVDs went to the tip last week and more may join them as I continue to sort stuff out. I don't want to leave a nightmare behind after my death so that grieving loved ones get a bigger headache. Does still seem a bit strange sorting a lifetime of possessions into keep, throw, donate boxes & bags but it does need to be done - just hope I manage to do everything before I run of time! Good luck to everybody else trying to deal with decluttering and memory-sorting.

I have already passed on some jewellery which I can’t or don’t wear to great nieces and grand daughter - nothing very valuable but worth having. Great niece particularly delighted with a pair of pearl drop earrings with a tiny diamond which match a pendant she already owns. I have other items put aside for young women of whom I am very fond to give them when I see them. It will save DD a job one day!

Only my dog, I worry about her and if she will get enough cuddles. I am sure my kids will look after her but I still worry. All the rest is just junk, they can get a house clearance in.

We cleared our loft and now everything from the loft is in my office. I just can't bring myself to throw away so many 'treasures'. Oh dear, and we are supposed to be downsizing!

I had time off work last year and cleared out all my paperwork, old cards and things not needed. I then had, and still am off work and am clearing out the spare room. I have 'stuff' in there from my mum when she passed away nearly three years ago, I have cleared out all wardrobes, cupboards and drawers and have taken stuff to charity shops. I still have alot more to do and have to be in a ruthless mood to do it. I have this 'ooh I might need that one day' and struggle to part with some things but it has to be done. I dont worry about my children having to do it one day, as I know they wont have so much sentiment as I do for some things. Valuables have been 'left' in my Will,

Oh Daisiemae...you just brought it home to me.... I’m not the dressy up sort of woman....but felt I had to push the boat out for daughters wedding ... a lovely brown dress with pink piping from top to bottom ...calf length...and a matching bolero jacket pink with brown piping ...even my daughter was impressed. Not worn it since .... and twelve years later the marriage is over . Time it went to a decent charity shop that will perhaps show it in there window ...there’s shoes and clutch bag to match. Some beaming but hard-up mother-of-the-bride may well be pleased to have the ensemble!

Evianners, Framilode and NotTooOld, it is a similar position here. Overinflated views as to what things are worth. Last year he went to see the Red Arrows and got all their signatures on an official photo. He is convinced that is valuable. I have been decluttering recently, culling my collections which l like to display. He would rather sell things on Ebay but after l have sorted them l find it is much easier to give them to charity shops where they get the money plus 25% gift aid than faff around for the little money they would probably fetch plus the effort of posting. In any case there is no guarantee that they will actually sell and then you are still stuck with them in the house.

The grandchildren sometimes ask ‘Can I have that when you’re gone Nana?’ Their parents are horrified by this but I think it just shows I still have ‘things’ worth having.

The oldest grandson wants my Samovar and my house, oldest granddaughter covets my metal bedframe with the crystal knobs on, youngest granddaughter wants my musical instruments. The youngest ine wants my dog ??

One thing I discovered when my husband died and when I downsized is that very little I’d valuable. The “brown” furniture my mother in law had given to us “That’s worth quite a lot dear”, I had to pay the council to take away. Father in laws stamp collection into the dump. I used Freecycle a lot and gave most things away

Plus he has a large shed full of 'stuff'!!!!!!

My DH has a huge collection of models and associated items. I dread that he goes before me as some of it is worth quite a lot and i wouldn't know who to approach to sell it as quite a niche market.
I certainly would not want to just put in a skip.
I don't think any family would want it as they have small properties and his collection fills our largest spare bedroom. I don't think younger people would devote a room to models.

oh and cats, my dear kitty, who is keeping me going, I have signed up with the Cats Protection Society.

well, my dh died late last year, he was a diy person, and could always be relied upon to have the necessary items if anyone asked for a job to be done.

now I have had to go through his diy materials,,screws, wood, bits and bobs,, etc.

and it is hard.... I got rid of a lot of my books some years back in anticipation of dying, and I am still here, and wish I had some of the books,,

so de clutter... I have little of any value.. so it doesn`t really matter... save your loved ones the pain of clearing out..

I am also doing a prepaid funeral,, that was so hard to do that for my dh.

I don’t worry about it.I am pretty certain the girls will get a skip so have pointed out to them what is valuable and I am sure there are a few things they will want to keep.
I am in the process of sorting all my dads photos,documents from his career as a marine pilot and hope that the maritime museum will be interested in having them.
Over the last couple of weeks we have been sorting out the upstairs and have taken a couple of carloads to the tip and one carload to the charity shop.
My husband is another with many interests and although the majority of the house is uncluttered, heaven help whoever has to sort out his study,shed and garage!