Losing someone you love changes everything. It’s not just about their absence. It’s also about the little reminders they leave behind. A favorite sweater draped over a chair. Their handwriting on a shopping list. The mug or hairbrush they used every morning. Going through these belongings can be one of the most emotional parts of grieving.
Feng shui offers a perspective that can bring a little clarity and gentleness to the process. It doesn’t mean stripping away every memory or forcing yourself to get rid of things before you’re ready. It’s about balance, honoring what brings warmth to your heart while letting go of what feels heavy or keeps you from moving forward.
Deceased Belongings: Keep Them or Let Them Go?
In feng shui, belongings hold energy. The things we use daily absorb our presence, our joy, our stress, our essence. When someone passes away, their items can still carry that imprint. Keeping too much of it around, especially things they used often, can create a sense of “stuck” energy in your home. It’s almost like time pauses in those objects, keeping you tethered to a moment that has already passed.
That’s why feng shui suggests it’s usually best not to keep too many deceased belongings at home. Letting go doesn’t mean tossing everything in the trash. It can actually be an act of love. Donating clothes, books, or furniture allows those items to keep serving others, almost like extending your loved one’s kindness into the world.
And if you’re not ready to part with certain belongings, that’s completely okay. You might place them outside your main living space: in a garage, attic, outdoor shed, or even in a small keepsake chest in the garden. This way, their memory is honored while the energy in your home stays light, open, and balanced.
The goal isn’t to throw everything away, but to keep the spaces where you live and spend most of your time free from items that carry “stuck” or “non-living” energy.
What About Photos?
Photos are a special case. Unlike objects tied to physical routines, pictures are about memory, love, and connection. Feng shui generally encourages keeping your space filled with living energy, but many people find comfort in displaying photos of those who’ve passed. If a picture brings you peace and makes you smile, there’s nothing wrong with keeping it out.
The key is how you frame and surround it. Choose natural materials like wood or metal rather than plastic. Place fresh flowers or a plant nearby, and let sunlight touch it if you can. This small act infuses the space with life, keeping the memory vibrant rather than heavy.
Perform A Cleansing Ritual
Once you’ve sorted through their belongings, it can help to refresh the energy in your home. Even when physical items are gone, the space can still hold traces of grief and heaviness. A simple ritual can clear that energy.
Burn sage or incense, ring a small bell, or clap your hands lightly around the room to break up stagnant energy. And most importantly, open the windows. Let fresh air sweep through, even if only for a few minutes. That rush of new air feels like pressing “reset,” giving both you and your home space to breathe again.
Handling Belongings With Care
Grief unfolds in its own time, and so does the decision of what to keep and what to let go. When you feel ready, approach it slowly and kindly.
- Keep what sparks joy. If a certain item brings a smile or sense of closeness, let it stay. Maybe it’s a favorite piece of jewelry, a recipe card, or a tool they always used. Those pieces can become beautiful reminders of love. Just try to keep them in spaces that feel right, not in the bedroom or main living area, where energy is most active.
- Donate with love. Passing items to people in need or to charities your loved one cared about can be healing. Their belongings continue to make a difference, and in a way, their presence carries forward through generosity.
- Release what feels heavy. Some items may stir sadness or a sense of being stuck. Trust yourself to know when it’s time to let those go.
What To Avoid Keeping
Some belongings carry heavier energy than others, and feng shui suggests being extra mindful with these items. Try not to hold on to:
- Unwashed clothes – they carry your loved one’s physical energy and can keep grief feeling very present.
- Broken or damaged objects – they represent stuck or unsettled energy, which can make it harder to move forward.
- Old bedding or pillows – these items hold very personal, intimate energy and are best released.
- Mirrors – mirrors are believed to hold and reflect lingering energy.
- Everyday personal items (like hairbrushes, glasses, or shoes). These are often too closely tied to the physical self and can feel heavy to keep around.
Feng shui reminds us that our homes reflect our inner world. Filling your space with too many belongings from the past can keep you anchored there, when what you may need most is room to breathe, to heal, and to invite in what’s ahead.
Letting go doesn’t erase love, and it doesn’t sever the bond you shared. Their spirit isn’t tied to objects, it’s forever part of you. You carry them in your heart, your memories, and in the little ways they shaped who you are today. When you create space in your home, you’re also creating space in your life for new energy, while still keeping their essence close in the ways that matter most.
