Bereavement clearance, handled with care
Tell us about your late relative's home and be matched with up to three independent local clearance teams. Quotes are free, with no obligation, and you set the pace.
- Free quotes, no obligation
- Sensitive, patient local teams
- Works around your solicitor
Who a bereavement clearance is for
Bereavement clearance, sometimes called a probate clearance or deceased estate clearance, is the job of emptying a home after someone has died. It is usually arranged by an executor, a partner, a son or daughter, or another relative who has been left to deal with the practical side. Many people have never done this before, and it often lands at a time when they are grieving, working and living some distance away. Asking for help is common and nothing to feel awkward about.
The property can be almost anything: a flat in sheltered housing, a rented council or housing association home, a terraced house the person lived in for decades, or a family home that has been quiet for months. Some homes are tidy and easy to work through. Others are full, with outbuildings, a loft and a garage to deal with. A good provider will not judge what they find, and you should feel free to describe the situation honestly when you ask for quotes.
You do not need to have everything decided before you start. Some families want the whole property cleared in one go, while others want help with just the bulky furniture and will sort the rest themselves. Some only need the final empty-out once keepsakes have been taken. When you fill in the form, say which of these fits best. Local providers can then give you a quote that matches your situation instead of a standard package.
What to sort out before anyone clears anything
Before any belongings leave the property, make sure you are clear on who has the authority to deal with the estate. This is a matter for the executor or administrator and, where there is any doubt, for a solicitor. Take advice from a solicitor about what can be removed, what should be kept until the estate is settled, and whether anything needs to be recorded first. It is much easier to ask early than to try to undo a clearance later.
If a solicitor is handling the estate, tell them you plan to get quotes and ask whether they want an inventory, photographs or valuations first. Some solicitors are happy to speak to the provider directly about access and timing. Others prefer to pass instructions through the executor. Either way, keep a note of who agreed what. A short email trail covering dates, scope and any items set aside will protect you and keep everyone on the same page.
Think about the practical side too. Who holds the keys, and does anyone else have a set? Are the utilities still connected, and is the property insured while empty? Is there a landlord or housing officer who needs a handover date? Do any neighbours or building managers need warning about vans and parking? Sorting these points out before quotes arrive means the providers can price accurately and the day itself runs without avoidable delays.
Clearing a late relative's home often takes in more than the main rooms. Our guides to loft & attic clearance, garage & shed clearance and cellar & basement clearance explain how those spaces are handled, and hoarder house clearance covers homes that have become heavily cluttered.
Keepsakes, papers and valuables
The most important part of a sensitive clearance often happens before the clearance team arrives. Give yourself, and the wider family, time to walk through the home and choose what to keep. Photographs, letters, jewellery, medals, recipe books and small everyday objects often matter more than expensive items. If several relatives are involved, agree a simple way of deciding who takes what, so disagreements do not surface at the worst moment.
Papers need particular care. Look through drawers, coat pockets, handbags, bookshelves and filing boxes for wills, bank statements, pension letters, insurance documents, deeds, tenancy agreements and anything that looks official. Keep these together and pass them to the executor or solicitor. Confidential paperwork you do not need should be shredded rather than put in a skip or bin. Ask any provider you use how they handle documents they come across during the job.
Valuables can be hidden in unexpected places, so ask the provider to stop and tell you if they find cash, jewellery, watches or anything that looks important. Tell them in advance about items you want set aside, and mark them clearly or move them to a spare room. If you are unsure whether something has value, such as antiques, art or collections, consider getting an opinion before it is removed. A reputable team will be glad to work around your instructions.
How the clearance itself usually runs
Many families worry about what the day will feel like. A good clearance team arrives on time, introduces themselves, and asks where to begin. They should listen to your instructions about rooms, items to leave and anything that must be handled gently. You are welcome to be there for part of it or none of it. If you prefer to stay away, agree beforehand how you will be updated, for example with a call or photographs at the end.
Work usually starts with a walk-round to confirm what is going and what is staying. Then the team carries items out room by room, protecting floors and doorframes where they can. Heavy furniture, white goods, mattresses and loft contents all take time and planning. Narrow stairs, flats without lifts and long carry distances can make a job slower, so tell the providers about them when you request quotes rather than leaving it as a surprise on the day.
Safety and access matter as much as courtesy. Parking for a van or lorry may need a permit or a dispensation from the council, so check this in good time. Tell providers about anything unsafe, such as damaged floors, pests or fragile stairs. Asbestos must never be disturbed, and any suspected material needs licensed specialists. Items such as paint, solvents, gas bottles, batteries and fluorescent tubes need special handling and should be flagged before the day begins.
What happens to everything that is removed
Clearing a home does not have to mean sending everything to landfill. Many providers sort as they go, separating items that can be reused, recycled or donated from those that must be disposed of. Usable furniture, clothing, books and household goods may go to charity shops or reuse projects, depending on condition and what each organisation accepts. Ask the provider what they usually do, and tell them if there are charities or causes that mattered to your relative.
Some items can be taken by the provider for resale or are valued by antiques dealers and house clearance specialists, which may reduce the overall cost. Whether this happens depends on the items and the provider, and you should not assume it. If you expect something to be bought or credited against the job, ask for that to be written into the quote so it is clear. Scrap metal, electricals and bulky white goods can usually be recycled through proper channels.
Anything that is thrown away should go to a licensed site by a registered waste carrier. Ask for the carrier's licence number and check it on the public register for your part of the UK, which is run by the Environment Agency in England, SEPA in Scotland, Natural Resources Wales or NIEA in Northern Ireland. As a householder you have a duty of care, so ask for a waste transfer note or receipt and keep it with your estate paperwork.
Timelines, quotes and mistakes to avoid
If the house is being sold or rented out, the clearance often sits between probate, valuation and marketing. An empty, clean property can be easier to show, but there is no benefit in rushing before the family and the solicitor are ready. Give providers a realistic target date and say if it is flexible. Many offer more choice of dates when you have notice, and some can work in stages, such as furniture first and a final sweep later.
When quotes come in, compare what each one actually includes. Check whether the price covers all rooms, loft, garage and garden, the cost of disposal, any sweeping out, and any extra charge for stairs or parking. Ask whether the figure is fixed or an estimate and what could change it. Prices vary a great deal because of volume, access, time and disposal needs, so a very low figure with few details is worth a question rather than a quick yes.
Common mistakes include clearing before the executor has agreed, forgetting to remove personal papers, not checking waste carrier details, and accepting a vague verbal price. Ask for proof of insurance, a written quote and a clear description of the job. Be wary of anyone who pressures you to decide immediately or offers to take items for cash without explanation. Move and Clear is a free introduction service, so you can compare local providers without obligation before choosing.
Providers cover different postcode areas, so browse the areas we cover to see local information, or enter your full postcode in the quote form at the top of this page.
What affects the cost of bereavement clearance
Prices are set by each local provider, so we do not publish fixed figures. These are the things that move a quote up or down. Compare up to 3 free quotes to see a fair price for your job.
- The amount of furniture and belongings in every room, loft, garage and shed.
- Access: stairs, lifts, narrow hallways, long carries and distance to the van.
- Parking, permits and whether a vehicle can stand close to the property.
- Disposal costs for bulky items, white goods, mattresses and mixed waste.
- Items needing special handling, such as paint, gas bottles or batteries.
- How many visits are needed, and any deadline set by a sale or tenancy.
Our transparency promise: quotes are free and come direct from the providers. We don't add fees to your price, and you're never obliged to accept.
FAQs: bereavement clearance
Can I start clearing before probate is granted?
This depends on the estate and your role in it, so take advice from a solicitor before removing anything of value. You can usually arrange quotes and viewings in advance. Many families gather keepsakes and papers first, then book the clearance once the executor and solicitor are happy for it to go ahead.
Do I need to be at the property during the clearance?
No. Many people choose not to be there. Agree access arrangements with the provider, list the items to keep, and set aside anything precious or private. Ask how they will confirm the work is finished, for example with a call or photographs, so you can check everything from a distance.
What if we find cash, jewellery or important documents?
Ask the provider before the job to stop and tell you if they find anything of value or anything that looks official. Keep papers together and pass them to the executor or solicitor. Mention any known hiding places, and move valuables out beforehand if you can.
Will my relative's belongings be donated or recycled?
Many providers reuse, donate or recycle what they can, but practice varies between firms and depends on condition. Ask what they usually do and mention any charities you would like to support. Anything disposed of should go through a registered waste carrier to a licensed site.
Can the clearance be done in stages?
Often yes. Some providers can take bulky furniture first, then return for a final empty-out once family members have collected keepsakes. Tell them when you request quotes that you would like to work in stages, as this can affect availability and the way the job is priced.
How does Move and Clear help with bereavement clearance?
Move and Clear is a free introduction service. You fill in one short form, and up to three independent local providers may contact you with quotes. We do not do the work or set prices. You compare the quotes, ask questions and choose, or decline all of them, with no obligation.
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Find bereavement clearance in your area
Providers cover different postcode areas. Pick your nearest area to see local information, or use the form at the top of this page and enter your full postcode.