Moving After The Loss of a Loved One

Losing a loved one is difficult in so many ways; not only is it hard to face the rest of your life without someone you care about, it can be overwhelming to imagine moving on, raising children on your own, or getting through a rough period of your life without the person who has been your emotional support system for years. Yet that is what we must do whenever we come face-to-face with loss, and it’s imperative that you learn the best ways to cope with your grief so that you can live your best life.

For many people, making a move just after suffering a loss can be a challenge, but it can also be a step in the right direction if you’re having a hard time staying in the home you shared with your loved one, or if you’ve had some time to process your feelings and are ready to share your life with a new partner. For those who have lost a parent or other close relative, moving into a new home can mean starting fresh, leaving the grief behind, and making the choice to remember the person they loved in a healthy way.

Here are some tips on how to make a move after a loss.

Get some help

Buying and selling a home is a big job, and if you’re new to the process it’s important to get help from a professional who can look out for your best interests. Contact a realtor and communicate exactly what you’re looking for, what your price range is, whether you need something in a particular school district, and how much you can handle when it comes to home repairs or modifications. Be specific about your needs and make a list of the things you can live without versus the ones that are deal breakers.

Pack smart

Packing is one of the hardest parts of moving, especially if you have items that belonged to your loved one or have memories attached to them. In order to avoid becoming overwhelmed, do a thorough cleaning of your home and get everything in the right place, and purge as you go. Trash things you can’t use anymore and donate items that still have some life in them. Then, gather all your packing supplies and start in one room; get it finished before moving on. Ask a friend or family member to sit down and help you go through things like photo albums, documents, jewelry boxes, and other precious items and make decisions about whether you want to keep them or pass them on to another family member. Make packing lists to tape to the outside of each box so you can stay organized. Read on here for more great moving tips.

Get rid of clutter

In the process of cleaning and preparing your home for the move, go through closets, cupboards, drawers, and attic or basement spaces to declutter. Sometimes this means getting rid of things you don’t need anymore, and sometimes it just means finding a new way to hold onto something dear to you. For instance, you might have five big boxes full of photos that could be scanned on the computer and put onto a thumb drive, saving you lots of space at the new house. It’s important to think about different ways to keep the things that matter to you, and decluttering will help boost your mental health and allow you to feel a much-needed sense of control. 

Prepare

About a month before the move, go over a checklist of things you need to have done before the big day. Think about the actual move as well as issues like changing your address with the post office and arranging for child or pet care so that everyone stays safe and happy during the busy day. This is also a good time to start gathering supplies and creating a place to keep all the paperwork related to the move so you can easily access it when everything is packed up. 

Making a move is a big decision, and it can affect everyone in the family. It’s important to communicate with your loved ones and talk about the potential benefits of a move so that everyone is on the same page. Remember to practice self-care during this time by getting enough sleep and eating a well-balanced diet, which can help you stay focused and keep your mood balanced.

Thank you to Lucille Rosetti at The Bereaved for this article.