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

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

From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2022

In death cleaning, it is “Will anyone I know be happier if I save this?”

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

“My parents and their friends are death cleaning, and we all kind of joke about it,” Olofsdotter says.

From Washington Post • Oct. 12, 2017