Published 2017 | Self help

Dostadning: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson, elaborates on the Swedish concept of ‘death cleaning’, offering practical tips as useful for everyday decluttering as they are for life’s larger reckonings

‘A fond and wise little book’ is what the New York Times called it, and I would agree. I stumbled on this book at a time when I had desperately turned to the Internet for ways to convince my mother to declutter. She is a habitual hoarder who has preserved everything — from gift boxes that came our way over 15 years ago to frying pan sets and, of course, the usual photographs, baby clothes, etc. And considering the fact that I hoard books because “what if there’s an apocalypse and I have all the time in the world”, it’s best I put a pause on the commentary.

The Internet listed this book in its set of suggestions, and I was caught by the musically assertive-sounding word – “Dostadning”. As I read the blurb, I was intrigued.

The Crux

Margareta Magnussion’s book isn’t a preachy, morbid book that laments death. Instead, it treats death as a fact of life, which, despite its heartbreaking nature, it is. The author, a professional ‘death cleaner’ advocates the idea of taking care of your possessions, to, among other things, ensure what you value goes to an individual or place that appreciates it and your immediate family or loved ones do not have to bear the burden of sorting through your things after you’ve moved on.

Following the introductory chapters, the author has divided the chapters according to the things or concepts that are integral to life and must be dealt with later — artefacts and articles, knick-knacks and photographs, pets, clothing and more. The author downplays the gravity by interspersing her suggestions with instances from her life, with memories attached to her own death cleaning, personal and professional.

To Read or Not to Read

What stands out to me in this particular read is that the tips Magnusson has given are practical enough that they need not be limited to the concept of death cleaning. These tips are helpful when you are changing homes, moving to another city/country or downsizing/decluttering! I recommend this book for those looking for such practical tips, and have added it to my mother’s bedside pile of books she should read.

I would, however, also add a ‘trigger’ label to this particular book for those who’ve seen death at close quarters – it may bring back memories that aren’t necessarily good, it may remind you of moments of grief that may throw you into despair. That is not the intention of this book in any way, but there is no discounting the unpredictability of the human mind and emotions, so I’d recommend that for those who continue to struggle with the concept of death, take your time with this book, if at all.

P.S. Available to be borrowed by fellow bibliophiles in Ahmedabad.