Sorting Through Memories: Decluttering After Death with Arwen Dropmann

In the episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead," I had the pleasure of interviewing Arwen Dropmann, a skilled professional organiser with a background in social work.Arwen is a certified social worker and has additional training in grief and loss, disability, chronic illness, hoarding disorder, motivational interviewing, neurodivergent affirming practices, and compassion-focused therapy.We delved into the realm of decluttering, organising, and the emotional connections we have with our belongings, especially when coping with the death of a loved one.In This Episode:Arwen shines a light on the challenges families face when dealing with a loved one's belongings after death.We explore the emotional aspects of decluttering and organising, especially in sensitive situations like handling a deceased person's possessions.Arwen provides practical advice on future preparation, emphasising the importance of organising essential documents and planning for unforeseen events.This episode should enlighten anyone who has grappled with clutter or faced the daunting task of sorting through a loved one's belongings. Arwen's insights highlight the importance of preparing for the inevitable and the emotional journey that accompanies it.Related Links:The Book, ‘The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning’ can be found hereArwen Dropmann's Calm Space Professional organising serviceThe Institute of Professional Organisers websiteMarie Kondo's show and The Home Edit.1800JunkBuried in TreasuresPlease share this episode with anyone who might find it useful or comforting. Subscribe for more enlightening conversations like this one.Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care,CatherineWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform. It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.auNo credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.No pressure. No expectation.Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” — it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.SUPPORT SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.Support the showSupport the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22aMusic composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/