We all cope with the loss of a loved one in our own ways. Some of us hold on tightly to avoid closing the book on our loved one’s lives. Others accept it, let go, and move on. If you’re part of the latter group, saying goodbye to someone you love means closing a chapter of your life and starting over. Sometimes, it’s too painful to hold on to memories of the past, and the best option is to move to a new place. For homeowners, moving also involves selling a house.

There are two main reasons you might want to sell your house after the loss of a loved one: to get a fresh start and a change of scenery and to sell a late relative’s empty house. There are a few additional factors that could cause someone to move for a fresh start.

Moving to Get Away from the Memories

It could be too painful to wake up every day in the same house with memories of your lost loved one surrounding you. You can smell their scent, see their belongings, and feel their presence. It might be comforting for some, but it might be unsettling for you. You want to get past the grief, and the only way you know how is to walk away from the painful reminders.

Moving for a Change of Scenery

After experiencing a tragedy, one way that some people cope is to shake things up and get away. This could mean taking a grief vacation or relocating to a new neighborhood or town. Wherever you decide to go, anywhere could be better than where you were before.

Moving Because There’s Nothing Holding You Back

It’s possible that you only stayed put in your old home and neighborhood for as long as you did because of family. Whether it was a parent, spouse, or another relative, you now have the freedom to move about.

Now It’s Time to Move

Once you’ve had time to properly grieve and make arrangements for your deceased loved one, it’s time to make a move. The house that you’re selling might not be your residence, but it belonged to the deceased person and is now in your care. You’ll first need to figure out how much your home is worth by having it appraised or comparing it to similar homes on the market in your area. Upgrades and renovations increase the value of your home, so add those considerations into the selling price.

A realtor or real estate agent could be helpful during this time if you choose to go that route. He or she will be able to help you decide on an asking price, list the house for sale, stage it for photos, set up open houses, and close the sale with the right buyer. One half of the moving process is getting out of your old place, but the other half is getting into your next place. Buying another house comes with its own set of challenges, so you could opt to rent for a year until you get your bearings together. As you get ready to move, a packing and moving company could help ease the burden of moving.

One of the most difficult yet most rewarding aspects of moving out of a home of a deceased relative is going through their things. You’ll cry, laugh, reminisce, and maybe argue over who’s keeping what. You’ll find objects that you never knew existed, mementos that you haven’t seen in decades, and possibly even possessions that surprise you. But you can’t bring everything with you, nor should you. As painful as it is to discard things that once belonged to your loved one, you only need to keep the important, irreplaceable, and sentimental items.

The world is your oyster after you lose a loved one and move homes. You can live anywhere after bereavement, start a new life, or travel for a while to clear the pain from your mind. The person you lost will want you to move on, not mourn forever. Honor their life by living yours.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Lindsey Victoria

Lindsey is the author of A Life Well-Balanced, a lifestyle blog dedicated to helping people live a more balanced life – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.