Chapter 2: Common situations


Sorting through belongings

An agonizing part of loss is sorting through personal belongings and deciding what to do with them. When we have no choice but to make quick decisions about what to keep and what to discard, we can later feel regret and guilt. It is important to remind ourselves that we have done our best.

I open the closet sometimes just to smell her clothes. I don't want to give that up.

There is often a strong desire to preserve the scent of the person who has died. Some people do not wash the bed sheets for a long time.  

Should I keep all his pictures in the house?