What a Swedish Book on Death Cleaning Taught Me About Real Estate, Letting Go & Love

It started like any other rainy Saturday. I was folding laundry, sipping coffee, letting the soft patter of drizzle fill the background, when I stumbled upon a book with a title that stopped me in my tracks: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson.

“Death cleaning?” I thought. Slightly morbid. But then came that word: gentle. It softened everything. So I pressed play on the audiobook. And what came next? Well, let’s just say I didn’t expect it to hit so close to home—literally and figuratively.

Juliet Stevenson’s narration feels like being wrapped in the warmth of a wise grandmother's voice: honest, witty, loving, and unafraid to tell you the truth. What I thought would be a simple guide to decluttering turned out to be a moving reflection on life, death, memory, and the emotional work we leave behind for others.

And that’s when it clicked: this is what I do every day. Not death cleaning, exactly—but helping people navigate the emotional complexity of letting go, especially when it comes to estate sales here in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.

When Real Estate Meets Real Life

In the Lowcountry, many of our clients are retirees—or the children of retirees—faced with selling a loved one’s home. And let me tell you: this is never just a transaction.

These homes carry stories. Sunday dinners in the dining room. Shell collections from the beach trip that summer. The creak in the floorboard everyone knew to avoid.

And when it’s time to say goodbye, the emotional weight can feel crushing. That’s where The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning offers something unexpected—comfort, perspective, and even a little laughter.

More than Just a Decluttering Manual

Margareta Magnusson’s message is deceptively simple: we will all leave this earth. But we have a say in what we leave behind—for better or for worse. Her practical wisdom is sprinkled with dry humor and warmth, making tough truths surprisingly digestible.

She doesn’t just tell you to toss things. She asks, “Will anyone want this after I’m gone?”—and somehow it doesn’t feel harsh. It feels like grace.

Another moment that stuck with me? When she describes how freeing it is to clean out the “junk drawers” of our lives—not because we’re dying, but because we’re living. She says, “Death cleaning is not about death. It’s about life, your life, the good memories, the bad ones, the funny and the sad.”

Letting go of clutter becomes an act of clarity. And that same principle applies to real estate.

Selling a Loved One’s Home: The Real Work

When you inherit a home—especially after the loss of a parent, partner, or close family member—there’s more than just stuff to sort through. There are decisions to make, memories to honor, and responsibilities that can feel overwhelming.

If you're navigating the emotional task of selling an estate home in Bluffton or Hilton Head Island, you’re not alone. We’ve worked with countless families in the Lowcountry—helping them sell inherited homes, clear out loved ones’ belongings, and simplify the steps of probate and trust-related real estate transactions. We work hand in hand with trusted local attorneys who guide you through the legal process, while we walk you through every step of the real estate journey—start to finish. Whether it's your childhood home, a vacation property, or part of a trust, working with a local Realtor experienced in estate sales can make all the difference—especially one who knows the ins and outs of Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and the greater Lowcountry real estate market.

This is where compassion meets strategy. At The Cobb Group, we’ve helped coordinate everything from clean-out crews to staging and final closing logistics. We know how to keep things moving while still respecting the emotional layers that come with saying goodbye to a beloved home.

You Deserve a Thoughtful Guide

One of Margareta’s best lessons is that it’s okay to keep the weird stuff, as long as you label it. She talks about having a box of private things and writing clearly on it: “Throw away without opening.” It’s hilarious and oddly freeing.

It reminded me that even as we clean, pack, and sell—we’re still allowed to be human. We’re allowed to laugh, cry, and carry the quirkiness with us.

That’s how we approach estate sales. With care. With compassion. And, yes, with a little humor. The goal isn’t to erase the past—it’s to honor it and move forward with less weight and more peace.

If You’re Facing the Sale of a Loved One’s Home…

Ask yourself:

Do you know where to begin—or are you feeling overwhelmed by memories and decisions?
Could a thoughtful Realtor ease the burden and help you focus on the next chapter instead of the last?
Have you considered how much simpler the process could be with a guide who’s walked this road before?

We're here. Not just to sell the home—but to help carry the emotional load and bring you across the finish line, with clarity and care.

Whether you’re ready now or just beginning to think about what comes next, let’s have the conversation. We can streamline the process, honor the story, and make sure every step forward feels intentional.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson
Available on Amazon

Allison Cobb & The Cobb Group
Strategic Moves. Lasting Relationships.

Questions to Reflect On:

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind—not just financially, but emotionally?
Are you keeping things (or even homes) out of obligation instead of true attachment?
Have you had the hard but healing conversations with your family about your “stuff”?
Would having a compassionate, experienced Realtor ease your mind as you prepare to sell a loved one’s property?

Written by Allison Cobb

The author assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or emissions in the content of this blog. The information provided on is an “as is” basis with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness.

Posted by The Cobb Group on June 5th, 2025