Swedish Death Cleaning (Döstädning)

The wardrobe work no one asks for — but everyone needs at some point.

It’s called Swedish Death Cleaning, or döstädning.

It’s a practice in Sweden: later in life, you begin to sort through your belongings. You decide what to keep, what to pass on, and how to make things easier for the people you love — while you’re still here to tell the story.

Usually, it’s done slowly, over time.
But it doesn’t always work out like that.
Illness happens.
Time runs out.
Grief makes it hard to begin.

I offer Swedish death cleaning as a wardrobe service — because I got to do it once, and because I didn’t, when I could have.

It’s not about fashion. It’s not really about wardrobes.
It’s about memory, meaning, and helping people be seen before they go.
It’s also extremely practical.

When my auntie was dying of cancer a decade ago, I offered to help with her wardrobe. We spent two days together — sorting, laughing, crying. We made a memory box. She shared stories I never would have heard otherwise.

I learned that treatment can bring strange highs. She’d bought stilettos she’d never wear — not because she was dying, but because she wasn’t a stilettos person.
It was gentle. Fun. Profound.

Years earlier, when I was living in Sweden, my farmor (dad’s mum) used to say, “I’ll probably die while you’re not here — take whatever you want. I want you to have something.”
I was too young. Too uncomfortable. I thought she was being silly.
She wasn’t being silly.
I was back in Australia when she died.
Nobody lives forever.

Let people give you things.
Let them tell you stories.
Let yourself be uncomfortable.

I do this for the aunties and the grandmothers.
For the people who want to tell their stories while they still can — and for the ones who need a hand doing so.

If this resonates — for you, or for someone you love — I’m here.
I’d be honoured to chat and see if it’s the right fit.
It’s truly a privilege to work with people in such an intimate space.

🖥️ This service is bookable here.
You can also book a discovery call if you're curious and would like to know if it’s a good fit

This photo is of me and my farmor, in 2001
I can still hear her laughing.