Swedish Death Cleaning The Productive Woman

Often, the belongings we have in our home reflect a life lived well, time spent with family and friends, and other cherished memories. But getting rid of an item doesn't mean we forget the memories.







Swedish Death Cleaning can benefit us now and our loved ones after we're gone



Swedish Death Cleaning, or "döstädning" in Swedish, is a methodical approach to decluttering that encourages individuals, especially (but not only!) those who are older, to simplify their lives and possessions to ease the burden on loved ones who will handle their estate after they pass away. The concept has been around for a while in Swedish and Scandinavian cultures but began to gain international attention when the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, written by Swedish artist Margareta Magnusson, was published in 2017. 



This method gains profound significance when considered within the context of women's lives. Historically, women have often been the custodians of family heirlooms, caretakers of homes, and the keepers of family memories. This role, while rich and fulfilling, also comes with the responsibility of managing a multitude of possessions that accumulate over a lifetime. Swedish Death Cleaning offers a dignified, practical approach to managing these possessions, ensuring that the legacy left behind is one of love, simplicity, and thoughtfulness, rather than a burden of clutter for loved ones to sort through. 



I had heard of the concept a while ago but only recently decided to look into it. I read Ms. Magnusson’s book and other materials and thought I’d share with you what I’ve learned regarding its principles, benefits, and practical steps.



Introduction to Swedish Death Cleanin



Definition: The concept of "döstädning," a hybrid of the Swedish words for death ("dö") and cleaning ("städning"). A Good Housekeeping article describes it this way: “Swedish death cleaning is a well-known concept in Swedish and Scandinavian culture, where you work on eliminating unnecessary items from your home, so loved ones won't be burdened with the task after you pass.” 



Origins: As I understand it, the concept of Swedish Death Cleaning developed within the context of Swedish culture, which prioritizes simplicity, efficiency, sustainability, cleanliness, order, and a considerate attitude towards family and friends. If you’ve been listening for a few years you might remember our guest in episode 231, Swedish journalist Jane Andersson, who introduced us to the Swedish value of lagom, roughly translated as “not too much, not too little.” Swedish death cleaning reflects that value in its focus on eliminating anything that’s unnecessary, both to make your own life simpler and to make things easier on your loved ones after you’re gone.  



The Swedish Death Cleaning Bible notes that “By tidying up one’s life systematically, people ensure that their loved ones are not burdened with the task later.”



Philosophical Underpinnings 





Mindfulness and Materialism: Swedish death cleaning encourages mindfulness about the accumulation of possessions and challenges societal norms around materialism.