What do you do with your loved one’s belongings after they die?
Sorting through clothes, paperwork, furniture, and personal items can feel overwhelming — not just practically, but emotionally. In this episode of the GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold are joined by decluttering specialist Janine McDonald to talk about the emotional and practical realities of going through a loved one’s things.
This conversation goes beyond “cleaning out a house.” We explore how memories become attached to objects, why certain items feel impossible to let go of, and how to approach decluttering with empathy, patience, and intention.
In this episode, we discuss: • Why decluttering after loss is about freedom, confidence, and wellbeing • How to sort belongings without rushing the process • What to do when you feel guilty letting items go • Creative ways to repurpose or honor meaningful possessions • How to involve Family members in a supportive way • Why the memories matter more than the objects themselves
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, this episode offers practical steps and emotional reassurance for navigating one of the hardest parts of grief.
Guest Bio: Janine McDonald is a Decluttering Specialist and Organising Philosopher, bestselling author, and international speaker who helps people transform their lives by creating Clarity in their homes, workspaces, and minds. Founder of Clear the Clutter Now and author of the bestselling Clear the Clutter Now: Streamline Your Life by Doing Just 3 Things, Janine is passionate about showing people that decluttering is not about “tidying up” – it’s about freedom, confidence, and wellbeing.
Her warm, empathetic style has resonated with audiences worldwide sharing her holistic approach to decluttering and organising.
Connect with Janine:
[email protected]
The GRIEF Ladies grew from decades of clinical work, community building, and lived experience. It isn’t a checklist to “get over it.” It’s a path you can re-enter on the hardest days and the ordinary ones.
Kelly Daugherty from Center for Informed Grief and Karyn Arnold of Grief in Common first connected when Kelly was leading a collaborative grief book project and posted in a Facebook group looking for authors. Karyn responded, and from their very first conversation, the connection was instant. They discovered a shared passion for supporting grieving individuals and striking similarities in their approaches and professional paths. Both had worked in hospice, and both believed that there are practical tools that can truly help support someone on their grief journey.
That first book became The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience, and Connection. From there, their collaboration grew naturally. What began with one project has blossomed into an ongoing partnership including building frameworks, workshops, and now the GRIEF Ladies Podcast to help others navigate life after loss with honesty and hope. Sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about their future ventures!
Karyn Arnold has served grievers for 25+ years as a facilitator, educator, and the founder of Grief in Common, an online community that connects people by shared experiences of loss. With a background in psychology and mind–body work, Karyn blends evidence-informed practice with simple daily actions that help people steady themselves and find support. She has guided thousands of grievers through groups, workshops, and online programs, and partners with clinicians and organizations to make grief resources easier to find and use.
Kelly Daugherty, LCSW-R, FT, BCC, is a clinician, educator, board-certified coach, and founder of the Center for Informed Grief in Malta, NY. A Fellow in Thanatology, Kelly has worked with individuals and families across hospice, schools, and private practice for over two decades. Her commitment to grief work began after her mother’s death during Kelly’s teen years, shaping a career focused on practical, compassionate support. Kelly develops trainings for educators and mental-health professionals, consults with schools on grief-informed practices, and leads community programs that normalize grief while teaching concrete skills. She believes accessible, plain-language tools can change how communities show up for one another.
