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

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!

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.

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 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!

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

Oh, that was replying to Callistemon.

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).

Pieces that can be painted are in huge demand. But they have to be small/compact.
A lot of dark wood furniture is just too large for modern homes

DH and I are trying to clear house. I understand seniors in Sweden observe a day a year to clear as much as possible to save their children the task. Seems wise. I do have 1 item I am taking with me. A tiny needle. As a quilter, if I get to the other side without one, I'll know I am not in Paradise! ??

Ive just found this thread. Middle of the night before I go to Oz and lying here wondering what to do with a box of very personal stuff from my past which, should I not return (!) I wouldn't want my DDs to go through. I’ve decided to ask a younger friend to dispose of/burn the lot should I meet my demise. I know I should get rid but can’t bring myself to do it yet.
As for the rest of my possessions, my DDs will just have to deal with it. One will want very little, the one abroad may have trouble getting anything big to her home and the third, a magpie, will take most of what is left! I have a long list of who, including the GCs, is to get what in the jewellery/family ‘heirlooms’ dept. Having just emptied an Aunts house I now have loads of her stuff too to add to my parent’s , so the girls will have quite a job on their hands

am cleaning out my stuff again now ,the little things we collect thinking oh that might be useful .then you end up with drawers full of rubbish. not worried about my stuff as daughter has instructions smaller things to salvation army .furniture to british heart foundations. and any other stuff she can keep if she wants. any money left over goes to pdsa.....

I do have loads of stuff and am aware how much there will be to clear when I'm gone. My books just seem to grow and grow. What I have tried of late is to clear some cupboards, wardrobes and the back bedroom a bit at a time. It all goes to the charity shop and books I sell. I feel pleased when I have done it but then months later I seem to be back where I was!

Framilode They probably are worth thousands! Get your husband to categorise all his railway stuff. My oh has a spreadsheet with everything he has and current prices! If he goes before me I have strict instructions to sell everything and I will have an idea of what they are worth!

My friend’s no-longer-required furniture wasn’t big, dark wood stuff. It was standard size, same kind of measurements as you get today with units. Still, into the skip it went.

I'm not talking about huge pieces of antique furniture, notanan!
I don't live in a mansion. We downsized from that years ago.

Not all young people are like that SueDonim and certainly our upcycling centre seems to do well, they accept most furniture, restore it and sell cheaply.

Not all young people live in modern homes, several I know bought older houses and do them up but keep the original style if possible.

I've been trying to have a good sort-out recently, but however much I get rid of, I never seem to gain any space!

The one thing that worries me about popping my clogs is my jewellery. (When my sister died, some years ago, her jewellery was all over the place - junk mixed with valuable jewellery, etc.)

Now, I have so much 'junk' jewellery I could open a shop! It worries me that my daughters won't know the difference, so I started a 'Jewellery Log', photographing my 'real' jewellery (plus crockery of value, that they could sell - not just bin).

Talking to son-in-law the other day - Me: 'I think I'll spend the day working on my Jewellery Log.' SIL: 'You were doing that when we first met!'

Was I?

He and my daughter celebrate their 11th Wedding Anniversary this year!!!

Better get on with it!