Cleaning Out A Loved One’s Closet

Death is an unavoidable and inevitable part of the cycle of life. However, when it kicks down your door and steals your loved one away, it leaves you breathless and broken. In 2013, three days before my husband’s birthday, death crept into a hospital room and carried him away. Death left me wounded and widowed.

Time marches on, even without the ones you love there to share the journey. One of the challenging pieces of widowhood is managing the stuff your loved one leaves behind. The memories of my husband were still alive in the home we once shared. I was plagued with the arduous task of making minor and major decisions after his death. Since these were tasks that my husband would have normally handled the weight of making all of these decisions came crashing down on me when I attempted to address the items left in my husband’s closet.

The closets were full of clothes that reminded me, of him. For me, they were more than articles of clothing. They were apart of his story and our love story combined.  Regardless of how long it has been, or how well you think you are prepared, cleaning out a deceased spouse’s closet is one of the hardest pieces of widowhood and presents a significant challenge for the spouse.

“I found myself broken and shaking trapped in the closet filled with painful memories.” Grief had finally swallowed me up. I felt paralyzed and consumed with emotions.

It had been three years since the death of my husband. I thought I was finally mentally and emotionally prepared to sort through his belongings. I had plenty of supplies: permanent markers, gloves, and garbage bags. The boxes were properly labeled “Keep,” “Discard/Trash,” and “Donate,” As I placed each article of clothing in the appropriate box, I felt like I was losing him all over again. Grief swallowed me up in that closet. I was alone and consumed with emotions.

Out of ashes of my grief Widows Closets was formed.  As a widow, I am passionate about helping those in need. Through our unique services, we strive to have a positive impact on the psychological, social, and physical well-being of our customers. We strive for the integration of compassion and empathy as we help widows, widowers and family member navigate from grief-to-healing.

From support groups, information sessions, to resources Widows Closets LLC is passionate about providing customers with the tools needed to walk through grief-to-healing.  Our services are affordable and designed to meet your needs no matter what stage you are at on the grief journey.

Making decisions after the death of a loved one is challenging. We offer access to consultants and licensed professionals so that you can get the help you need at the price you can afford. Whether it is face-to-face, online, or via telephone, Let Widows Closets help you sort through your physical and emotional closets.

By The Indomitable Widow