Swedish Death Cleaning, or döstädning, is a Scandinavian approach to decluttering that emphasises the organisation of one’s belongings in a thoughtful, intentional way – primarily to ease the burden on loved ones after one’s death.
Popularised by Margareta Magnusson in her 2017 book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, the practice encourages people, particularly those in their later years, to systematically pare down their possessions, keeping only what truly matters. While the name might sound morbid, its purpose is deeply life-affirming: to create a home filled free from excess, and to ensure that one’s legacy is not defined by overwhelming material clutter. [Ed: Nothing generates more unwelcome resentment for offspring than a storage unit filled with seemingly-unremarkable stuff.]
The concept of döstädning is rooted in Sweden’s minimalist and pragmatic cultural ethos, where simplicity and functionality are highly valued. It reflects the Swedish appreciation for lagom – the idea of having “just enough” – and an awareness of how one’s belongings affect others. By taking responsibility for one’s own possessions, individuals spare their family members the often difficult and emotional task of sorting through a lifetime of accumulated objects.
In contemporary culture, Swedish Death Cleaning has resonated far beyond Sweden, tapping into the global movement toward minimalism and mindful living. As people seek to declutter not just their homes but also their lives, döstädning offers a structured yet personal way to assess what truly holds value. It aligns with the rise of sustainability and conscious consumption, as people become more aware of the environmental and emotional costs of excess.
Swedish Death Cleaning is not dissimilar to Marie Kondo’s KonMari decluttering methodology (manifest in her 2011 bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and subsequent 2019 Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo) – but their philosophies, motivations and approaches differ in significant ways. While both aim to simplify and organise living spaces, Swedish Death Cleaning is more philosophical and deeply rooted in notions of responsibility and legacy, whereas Marie Kondo’s approach focuses more on joy and personal fulfillment. Swedish Death Cleaning is an ongoing, gradual process – especially suited for older adults, but applicable to anyone wanting to live with less. Marie Kondo’s approach, by contrast, is more structured and immediate.
Ultimately, Swedish Death Cleaning is not just about preparing for death – it’s about making space to live fully in the present. It’s a reminder that possessions should serve a purpose, spark joy, or hold deep meaning, and that letting go can be a powerful act of care – for oneself and for those who remain.
Postscript
Kim Hastreiter, curator and co-founder of PAPER magazine [RR3:13] is a curatorial maximalist. Her 2024 book Stuff: A New York Life of Cultural Chaos is a memoir told through the history of her possessions and the friends who concocted them. Despite the abundance of stuff that lives in the drawers and on the shelves of Kim’s sprawling New York apartment, we’d like to think that Magnusson and Kondo would both approve, as everything is so deliberately chosen.
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References
Images
1. Credit: medium @oliviagarciaa123
2. Book: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, Margareta Magnusson, 2017
3. Margareta Magnusson
4. Storage unit clean out in Bossier City. Credit: haulzitall.com
5. Book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo, 2011
6. Marie Kondo in 2016
7. Kim Hastreiter at home with stuff. Credit: reformcph.com
8. Book: Stuff: A New York Life of Cultural Chaos, Kim Hastreiter, 2025
