In grief a question we all face what to do with their stuff

Tools for finding hope along the journey: What to do with their stuff


Someone has died and left behind are all the people who love them and all their stuff. It can feel like a huge responsibility to decide what to do with it. Some things are easy, they hold special significance and sentimental value and it is quick to determine where they should go. Other things can be trickier. There is no right way or timeframe to do anything. The room or house can stay just like they left it; or you can change and get rid of everything. The choice is yours take the time that you need even if that is years.

Artwork by Tanya Lord
About the Artist

Tanya Lord was a special education teacher when Noah died. After his death she read The Institute of Medicine’s report To Err Is Human and realized that the errors responsible for her son’s death were not unique. This created a desire and determination to better understand and work towards improving health care. Currently she has completed a master’s degree in public health and a PhD in clinical and population health research and is completing a post-doctoral fellowship. Lord shares her personal and professional experiences in presentations and workshops for medical staff and students focusing on the importance of effective communication with patients before and after an error. She also is a co-founder of The Grief Toolbox (www.thegrieftoolbox.com), which offers tools to help those along the grief journey. Lord may be contacted at [email protected]