What To Do With The Clothing and Possessions of the Deceased

It is a couple of weeks after the funeral of your spouse. Relatives have gone home, the kids may be back at school or gone back to their own homes, friends aren't stopping by that often, and you are feeling very sad and alone. Every time you open the closet to choose your clothing for the day, you are confronted with your dead spouse's array of clothing. You can hardly look at the clothes, for they bring back the painful memory that they will not be worn again by your loved one.

Watch the video for suggestions on how to handle this difficult task.

Consider these two alternatives to disposing of your lost loved one's clothing.
Aileen Sheehan, a master seamstress who resides in Lake George, New York, has discovered a wonderful way to have a little piece of your loved one in your life every day. If you send her an item (or a few items) of clothing, she will make it into a custom purse or wallet; a decorative pillow; or cover a custom box with fabric. Contact her at sasheehan@roadrunner.com.

Susan Rabickow, a textile artist, makes beautiful memory quilts to give a tangible solace to those who grieve.Visit her website at http://www.renaissanceartist.webs.com/

Ellen Gerst, a Life Coach who specializes in grief and relationships, is the author of several books on grief, including A Practical Guide To Widow/erhood, born out of Ellen's own experiences as a young widow; 101 Tips and Thoughts on Coping with Grief, an easy-to-read reference guide filled with suggestions for every day use on moving forward through the grief journey; and Love After Loss: Writing The Rest of Your Story. "Love After Loss" is a blueprint on how to use her successful method to redesign your life to include a new love connection after the loss of a partner. Join the conversation on Facebook for Love After Loss. Click for more information and to order grief related services and books.

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Comment by Terry Tescula on January 24, 2011 at 1:35pm: Terry Tescula, Grief Liaison at Keepsake Threads in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Keepsake Threads will use your sentimental clothing to create a pillow, scarf, or quilt. You may have pictures, recipes, journal pages, and artwork transferred to fabric and incorporated into your item. This will keep treasured memories close and visible to comfort you and share your story. You may add a pocket to keep trinkets safe. Visit us at www.keepsakethreads.com or call me at 260.403.7361. I would love to help you design a keepsake in memory of your loved one.

Comment by Crimson B. on January 17, 2011 at 4:33pm: I have given some things to loved ones. I have packed away other things. I have kept other things still in drawers. It was November 12th. I know that eventually, everything will get put where it needs to be, everything will be given away. But in my time. No one elses. So, everyone is different.

Comment by Carol Kunnerup on September 14, 2010 at 5:57am: There is so much information regarding the loss of a spouse, what about the also devastating loss of a child ? What do I do with her things? The best I can come up with is share them with those to whom they may mean something to...and yet there is so much I cannot part with....this is very difficult...

Comment by Carol Kunnerup on September 14, 2010 at 5:57am: There is so much information regarding the loss of a spouse, what about the also devastating loss of a child ? What do I do with her things? The best I can come up with is share them with those to whom they may mean something to...and yet there is so much I cannot part with....this is very difficult...

Comment by Susan W Reynolds on August 17, 2010 at 9:08pm: Not only is the question , what to do with the clothes or personal items, what what to do with the space that they occupied. Transformation of a closet into a craft niche or computer area is possible. Relocating a dresser into a closet and freeing up space in the room for a reading nook is also a possibility. Read more in book... Room for Change: Practical Ideas for Reviving After Loss. Available on Amazon or email susan@revivalredesign.com and I will be glad to brainstorm with you. Find what supports you in and through grief.