death cleaning

American  

[deth klee-ning] / ˈdɛθ ˌkli nɪŋ /

noun

1. the process of cleaning and decluttering one’s home so as to spare others, especially family members, from the chore of it after one’s death.

   While I’m still strong and healthy, I’m going to commit to some serious death cleaning.

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Etymology

Origin of death cleaning

First recorded around 2017; a translation of Swedish döstädning, literally, “death cleaning,” equivalent to dö “to die” + städning, verbal noun from städa “to tidy, clean, clean up, clean out”

Example Sentences

Svenson: One thing about minimalism in Sweden is that’s the result of doing death cleaning.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2023

The death cleaning trio uses firm but gentle guidance to help eight overwhelmed households, with people ranging in age from 33 to 75.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

Döstädning, also known as Swedish death cleaning, comes at organizing from the dark side.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2022

Swedish death cleaning has found a kind of American counterpart in the rise of a pair of young men from Ohio who call themselves the Minimalists.

From The Guardian • Jan. 12, 2018

Though I’m not old enough to begin my own death cleaning, I am glad to have the phrase.

From New York Times • Dec. 25, 2017