The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson caught my eye last summer, when after threatening for years to undertake a serious purging of my basement, garage, and shed, I finally followed through. I assumed it was an oldie but goodie; turns out it was published in 2018 and has even been turned into a TV series produced by Amy Poehler airing on the Peacock channel.

It was winter as I listened to the audiobook version on Libby, six months after I first requested it during the “dumpster days” of last summer. Better late than never to be introduced to the idea that your descendants won’t hate you if you put your stuff in order before you die.

“Life will become more pleasant and comfortable, if we get rid of some of the abundance.”

It’s hard to know just how much of this quirky little book is tongue-in-cheek. The proper English accent of the reader, Juliet Stevenson, combined with the dry Swedish wit of the author, Margareta Magnusson, make me smile first, and then question whether or not I’m in on the joke.

Throughout Magnusson refers to her age as “somewhere between 80 and 100,” and she has also authored The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly, which I might also want to take a peek at. Magnusson clearly has the credentials for both literary creations. Her perspective is straightforward and no-nonsense, seeping with common sense and practicality.

Upon beginning the daunting task of death cleaning, Magnusson suggests, “Choose a category that you believe is easy for you to handle. An easy category is one that is extensive and without too much sentimental connection.” Her recommendation is to start with clothing, and she shares helpful strategies for minimizing excess items in your wardrobe. After discussing the rationale for several of her choices, she tartly states, “But this is not a style manual. We must keep investigating, cleaning, organizing, and sorting.”

Indeed, this is a chore from which it’s very easy to become sidetracked. I can definitely relate to this observation, “To hunt for misplaced things is never an effective use of your time.” Too much of my precious time is spent pawing through piles and boxes searching for things I think I might have saved decades ago.

Many Swedish words translate to English in a fitting way. Here are some examples. Swedish  junk is called “skräp”. The term for toolshed that has also come to signify man cave is “snickarbod.” Another, “mansdagis,” literally means ‘a male kindergarten.’ A “fulskap” is ‘a cabinet for the ugly’ or a place to stash unwanted gifts. Magnusson disapproves of this practice. “If aunts and uncles see their gifts on show, they will only give you more….If you don’t like something, get rid of it.” Finally, “klumpig” is a clumsy person. 

It didn’t work for me, but I am aware of the Marie Kondo method of holding possessions in your hands and only keeping Ty hose that bring you JOY. This month whilst cleaning my house, having been reminded of my allergy to dust, I had a brainstorm. The monotony of cleaning provided me time to reflect about how so many of the items collecting dust in my home actually hold special meaning for me. Maybe I should take pictures and write little blurbs about some of my favorite knickknacks to assemble into a book of my own.

Photographs are particularly hard for me to part with; thankfully Magnusson offers this practical advice. 

“When you have lived a long life, it is so easy to get lost among memories from a long time ago…..By making games and events with family and friends out of the difficult job of death cleaning photographs you’ve gathered over a long life, it can be less lonely, less overwhelming, and more fun. You also do not have to carry the weight of all those memories by yourself and you are less likely to get stuck in the past.”

Magnusson’s tips are useful and sincere, and chapter titles illustrate the humor she brings to her knowledge of this gentle art.

Chapter 23: “If It Was Your Secret, Then Keep It That Way or How To Death Clean Hidden, Dangerous, and Secret Things.”

Chapter 25: “Collections, Collectors & Hoarders”

Chapter 33: “My Little Black Book of Passwords!”

Chapter 34: “Death Cleaning Is As Much Or More For You As For The People Who Come After”

In the last chapter of the book titled “After Life,”Magnusson concludes, “I am not qualified to give legal advice; I am just a death cleaner.”  

Indeed. I appreciate the warmth and fun Magnusson brings to this important topic.