Death Cleaning refers to the process of preparing one’s home and belongings in anticipation of death. More precisely, it is the intentional act of tidying up, organizing, and decluttering one’s space as though one could leave the world at any moment — so that loved ones are not left with the burden of managing it all when we are gone.

At the SX IDEA LAB zone during SUSTAINABILITY EXPO 2024 (SX2024), held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on October 2, 2024, Chuenkamon Ob-oy, Head of 10DK Home Tidying Department, and Khaisri Wisutthinetr, General Manager of Cheevamitr Social Enterprise, invited participants to a workshop titled

“Death Cleaning: A Final Note on Life Planning and Letting Go.”
The session offered tools and perspectives for organizing personal belongings in a mindful, orderly way — and most importantly, without leaving emotional or physical clutter behind for others to deal with.

Cheevamitr launched the Death Cleaning initiative in collaboration with 10DK Home Tidying Department, a professional home organizing company.
This workshop provided participants with practical knowledge and guidance on how to sort and manage belongings in preparation for the end of life. The concept of Death Cleaning, which has been gaining global attention, aligns with a broader philosophy of living well and dying well.

To extend the impact even further, Cheevamitr partnered with Pun Pun Shop, a second-hand social enterprise, to redistribute usable items from the Death Cleaning process. These goods are sold to generate scholarship funds — turning what might otherwise be discarded into a meaningful gift for others. Though the term “Death Cleaning” may sound somber, it is in fact an act of care, continuity, and generosity.

The workshop encouraged participants to begin the process while they are still healthy, rather than waiting until the end is near. Many people consider this subject distant or uncomfortable, but the workshop helped reframe it as a proactive act of love and preparedness.
Cheevamitr and 10DK emphasized that Death Cleaning can begin at any time, not just in old age or in moments of crisis.

The benefits of organizing one’s home before death are manifold:
a tidier space, easier access to essentials, improved relationships among household members, and reduced emotional strain for those left behind. Having fewer loose ends also enables families to carry on smoothly after the loss of a loved one.

How to Prepare for Death Cleaning

Before beginning the process, one must evaluate the level of clutter to estimate the time required. It’s helpful to enlist support from family members, assess how the home is used, consider the desired aesthetics of the living space, and reflect on the personality and habits of both the homeowner and caregiver.

The first and most important step is sorting — and it must not be skipped.
Avoid jumping straight into tidying. Even in well-maintained homes, many items go unused or are kept “just in case.” All items should be categorized into four groups:

1. Keep

2. Pass on or donate

3. Discard

4. Destroy

For those who struggle to let go, five guiding questions can help with decision-making:

1. Is this item necessary for my life now and in the future?

2. Do I love this item?

3. When was the last time I used it?

4. Am I ready to throw it away or give it away?

5. What would happen if I didn’t have it anymore?

Living & Leaving Note

In addition to physical belongings, Cheevamitr also encouraged participants to write a Living & Leaving Note — a personal record of stories, key information, and messages to be passed on. Participants were invited to reflect on questions such as:
What important things do I know that no one else does?
Is there something I wish I had the chance to say to someone close to me?

Each participant received a copy of the worksheet to take home and fill out as part of their personal planning. Those interested in learning more can visit the Cheevamitr booth in the “Better Me” zone of the expo.

Let us work together to make the world more livable and compassionate.
Discover more ideas and hands-on experiences at Sustainability Expo 2024: GOOD BALANCE, BETTER WORLD, now through October 6, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).