Most people cringe at the thought of sorting through decades of accumulated possessions. But what if approaching that task from a different perspective could transform it from overwhelming to liberating? Enter Swedish death cleaning, a decluttering philosophy that’s gained massive traction since 2017, spawning a bestselling book and even a hit reality TV series.
Despite its morbid-sounding name, this Scandinavian approach to organizing isn’t really about death at all. It’s about living better right now while also showing consideration for the people you’ll leave behind.
What Is Swedish Death Cleaning?
Swedish death cleaning, known as “döstädning” in Swedish, is a decluttering method that has been historically practiced in Sweden. The practice became well-known internationally through Margareta Magnusson, a Swedish artist and author, who wrote “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” in 2017.
The Swedish word breaks down into “dö” (death) and “städning” (cleaning), but it’s not about dusting or mopping up; it’s about a permanent form of organization that makes everyday life run more smoothly.
Magnusson describes herself as somewhere between 80 and 100 years old, and she’s an artist who graduated from Beckman’s College of Design. Her book became a New York Times bestseller in 2018 and struck such a chord that it inspired a 2023 Peacock reality series starring three Swedish experts who helped eight Kansas City residents declutter their homes and lives.
Why “Death Cleaning” Isn’t As Grim As It Sounds
The concept sounds heavy, but the process of freeing yourself and your family from a lifetime of clutter is actually quite pragmatic and considerate. Here’s the straightforward premise: you systematically go through your belongings and get rid of what you don’t need, use, or love so that your family doesn’t have to deal with it all after you’re gone.
Think about it this way: after someone passes away, grieving family members often face the overwhelming task of sorting through every drawer, closet, and storage unit. Swedish death cleaning has become very popular in Sweden, especially in recent years, as a way to ease the burden on relatives and save them the hassle, embarrassment, and any potential squabbles between siblings.
But here’s the twist: despite its somewhat grim name, döstädning isn’t only about getting ready for the end. The process can actually be therapeutic, nostalgic, and even fun. It’s about taking control of your space and your legacy while you’re still here to enjoy the benefits.
How Swedish Death Cleaning Differs From Marie Kondo and Other Methods
If you’re familiar with Marie Kondo’s “spark joy” method or general minimalism trends, you might wonder what makes Swedish death cleaning unique. Swedish death cleaning is different from other decluttering systems because it is focused primarily on helping older adults pare down their decades of possessions, specifically motivating people to declutter by referencing concerns about mortality and being burdensome to family after their passing.
While both Marie Kondo’s KonMari method and Swedish death cleaning aim to simplify and organize living spaces, their philosophies, motivations, and approaches differ in significant ways. Swedish death cleaning is more philosophical and deeply rooted in notions of responsibility and legacy, whereas Marie Kondo’s approach focuses more on joy and personal fulfillment.
Another key distinction: Swedish death cleaning tends to take a more practical approach to decluttering, encouraging people to focus on practical aspects of their home like excess clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and digital accounts and passwords. It is recommended to leave sentimental items for last in the process, and even establish which family members will receive which items in advance.
The Benefits of Swedish Death Cleaning
The advantages of this method extend far beyond a tidier home:
Immediate Quality of Life Improvements: Minimizing your things can free you up for more personal fun and freedom. Owning less stuff means less to clean, organize, and maintain. A less cluttered home is easier to keep clean.
Emotional Relief: You’ll likely feel good getting rid of things that someone else would have to get rid of down the line, saving them the time and energy spent digging through things you have accumulated over the years.
Self-Discovery: It can be a delight to go through things and remember their worth. And if you don’t remember why a thing has meaning or why you kept it, it has no worth, and it will be easier to part with.
Financial Organization: Managing your finances is another crucial aspect of Swedish death cleaning. As we age, we become more vulnerable to fraud, scams, and bad judgment. Cleaning up finances can help protect from those threats.
Present-Focused Living: Psychologically, minimalism is based on the idea that happiness doesn’t come from stuff, but rather from relationships and experiences. When you get rid of the excess stuff surrounding you, you can better identify those things that are really important to you and what brings you pleasure in your life.
How to Start Your Own Swedish Death Cleaning Journey
You don’t need to be elderly or facing a health crisis to benefit from döstädning. The key to successful Swedish death cleaning is to start early. Begin decluttering and managing your belongings while you’re still able-bodied and in good health.
Start with the Easy Stuff: Begin with items that have no emotional attachment, duplicate kitchen gadgets, outdated electronics, clothes you haven’t worn in years, expired pantry items.
Ask the Key Question: Visit storage areas and start pulling out what’s there. Who do you think will take care of all that when you are no longer here?
Involve Your Loved Ones: Talk to family members about what they actually want to inherit. You might be surprised to learn that your extensive collection of decorative plates holds little appeal for your children.
Save Sentimental Items for Last: Tackle practical categories first, then work your way toward more emotional items like photographs and keepsakes once you’ve built momentum.
Don’t Forget Digital Death Cleaning: Swedish death cleaning is particularly pragmatic in its inclusion of digital and financial decluttering and ensuring important paperwork is up to date. Important digital login credentials, such as email, social media, and online banking, should be prepared for those who will be responsible for handling those accounts.
Take Your Time: Depending on your circumstances, Swedish death cleaning can be accomplished in a whirlwind of a few days or over many months. There’s no rush; the goal is sustainable organization, not a quick purge.
The Peacock Show That Brought It to Life
In 2023, Peacock launched an eight-episode reality series called “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” narrated and executive produced by Amy Poehler. The show featured three Swedish experts, a home organizer, a designer, and a psychologist known as “Death Cleaners”, who helped subjects in Kansas City speak honestly about death and confront the clutter that had been collecting in their homes and souls for years.
The show balanced humor with genuine emotion, tackling everything from a 75-year-old former lounge singer’s extensive collection of memorabilia to a man grieving his parents while unable to clear out their belongings from his basement. With a big heart, self-knowing wit, and efficiency, the show came not to shame people but to celebrate their resilience, one lifestyle makeover at a time.
Living Lighter: The True Heart of Döstädning
Swedish death cleaning might sound grim, but it’s actually one of the most practical and thoughtful approaches to decluttering you can adopt. It’s not about obsessing over death; it’s about living more intentionally right now, surrounded only by things that serve a purpose or bring genuine joy.
Ultimately, Swedish death cleaning is not just about preparing for death; it’s about making space to live fully in the present. It’s a reminder that possessions should serve a purpose, spark joy, or hold deep meaning, and that letting go can be a powerful act of care, for oneself and for those who remain.
Whether you’re 30 or 80, drowning in decades of possessions or just feeling cluttered, the principles of döstädning offer a compassionate framework for creating a home that supports the life you want to live, while ensuring the people you love won’t be left with an overwhelming burden when you’re gone.
Ready to start your own death cleaning journey? Begin with one drawer, one closet, one category at a time. Your future self (and your family) will thank you.
