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

A show about death cleaning sounds like something Lord Voldemort ordered up to terrify Harry Potter.

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

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

From The Guardian • Jan. 12, 2018

She writes of the inability of men of her generation to cope with housekeeping after the death of a spouse, and notes how death cleaning has traditionally been women’s work.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2017