When someone close to you has died, the house they leave behind can feel overwhelming. Every drawer holds a memory, and yet the practical side cannot wait forever, whether the property is to be sold, handed back to a landlord or simply needs to be dealt with. Our bereavement house clearance service exists to take the weight off you at a difficult time.
Taking things at your pace
There is no right way to do this. Some families want to be in the house while we work, going through items room by room. Others would rather not see it at all and prefer to leave everything to us. Both are fine. Tell us how you would like it to go and we will fit around you, not the other way round.
Most people book a week or two ahead, which gives time to gather relatives and decide what to keep. We like at least 48 hours' notice, and if circumstances mean you need things moving more quickly, we will do our best to help without making promises we cannot keep.
Keepsakes, paperwork and valuables
The things that matter most are often the easiest to lose in a clearance: a bundle of letters in a wardrobe, loose photographs, a watch in a coat pocket. Our team can sort and set aside paperwork, photographs, valuables and keepsakes for the family, so they are kept safely apart from everything else. If you are not sure whether something matters, we will set it aside rather than guess.
- Letters, certificates, bank statements and other paperwork.
- Photograph albums, loose photos and family records.
- Jewellery, watches, medals and anything that looks valuable.
- Small keepsakes that you may wish to share between relatives.
How it works on the day
We aim to arrive at 9am. A regular three-bedroom house usually takes about three to four hours to clear, though a fuller home may take longer, and we will always give you a realistic idea beforehand. You do not need to attend. If you live far away, or simply cannot face going back, we can collect the keys from your solicitor, estate agent or a neighbour and return them once the house is cleared.
We clear whatever needs to go, including the food left in the cupboards and fridge. If appliances have standard connections we can disconnect them, and we can lift carpets if the property needs to be left bare. You can see the full process on our how it works page.
What happens to your loved one's belongings
Many families find comfort in knowing that belongings will be used again. We sort everything carefully. Furniture, clothing and household goods that are in good condition are donated to charity or reused. Metals and other materials are recycled, and what remains goes to licensed recycling centres and waste facilities. We aim to recycle or donate as much as we possibly can.
We donate to Children North East, Barnardo's, St Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle, Butterwick Hospice in Stockton and Bishop Auckland, the British Heart Foundation and Mind. If a particular cause meant something to your family, mention it and we will see what we can do. Read more about the charities we support.
Clothes, bedding and other personal items can be the hardest things to part with. We handle them quietly and with respect, and we are glad to bag certain items separately if you would like to take them to a particular charity shop yourself. If the home was lived in for many years, the job is often bigger than people expect. That is perfectly normal, and we never judge what we find.
Fair, simple pricing
Our pricing covers staff wages, fuel and recycling-centre fees, and we explain it clearly before anything is booked. Each van holds about 1.5 tonnes, roughly the same as four 8-yard builder's skips. If there are too many items for a single trip, a second load costs 50% of the fee. Quotes are free and without obligation, and you can send photos by WhatsApp rather than arranging a visit. See how our pricing works.
Where we help families, and related support
We cover the whole of North East England. Families regularly ask for bereavement clearance in Newcastle, Durham City, Hartlepool, Hexham and Darlington, and over 400 towns and villages have their own page via our areas list.
If the estate is going through probate, our probate house clearance page explains how we work with executors and solicitors. For an overview of everything we do, see our general house clearance service.
If you would like to talk it through, call us on 07898 719 509 or send a few photos by WhatsApp, and we will give you a free, no-obligation quote. There is no pressure, and no question is too small.
