House cleaning and selling after mother passed away is worse than the funeral for me...

We spent 6 months going thru my inlaws' house and getting it ready to sell. It has been one of the most difficult things I've ever done - so much work to do and so many tears being shed.

One main priority was safeguarding treasures - photos and letters went into a big, plastic tote to sort later. My MIL was an artist, so we found a loving home for each of her paintings. A friend who loves to bake has the bakeware, a friend just starting out has kitchen ware.

There were surprises along the way - we learned new things about them, we saw a part of their past in photos never seen before. I was surprised that my minimalist kids each wanted a set of Grandma's dishes. My FIL's measuring tapes are now used by his grandkids in their jobs. We learned that the candlesticks were brought from Asia by a soldier in the family during WWII - they're now back with his daughter.

Do this in baby steps - when you get overwhelmed, stop and go home. It'll be ok.

It is a daunting task. Yes, more emotionally draining than about anything. Took me years, in fact.

Try to take it in small bites if you can. Take one room at a time, make a keep, sell, donate and trash pile.

Hang in there...this last generation was conditioned to hang on to everything.

yes cleaned out my mom and dads(still not finished,not for sale yet)
and cleaned out and sold my aunt and uncles home. hard work, not fun, and sad all rolled into one. I came across a lot of lovey dovey letters from my uncle to my aunt and could not toss. they made me sad. even a letter my aunt wrote to my uncle after he passed :(

Yes - it's painful and sad. Be kind to yourself and don't try to rush it - take time to hold and item and remember sweet times.