Swedish author and artist Margareta Magnusson, whose book on “death cleaning” became a global phenomenon, has died aged 92.
Magnusson’s 2017 book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, introduced international readers to the concept of döstädning – the practice of sorting through and giving away possessions in later life so that family members are not left with the burden of doing so after one’s death.
Published when Magnusson was in her 80s, it was her debut and became an international bestseller. It was eventually published in more than 30 countries, and its success helped turn “death cleaning” into a widely recognised term.
“My motto for cleaning is simply: If you don’t love it, lose it. If you don’t use it, lose it,” she said in an interview with Swedish publication The Local. “My death cleaning has brought back wonderful memories. I wish for other people to have the same experience.”
Magnusson’s insights came after the loss of close family members, particularly her husband of 48 years. When leaving their large family home for a smaller flat, she confronted the emotional and practical challenge of sorting through his possessions. In her book, she described going through a loved one’s belongings as a necessary part of grieving.
“Death cleaning is not a sad thing,” she said in an interview with the i Paper. “I want it to be joyful and interesting. It can be that. And people should start early. If your things are in order, then you don’t have to waste time looking for them.”
In 2023, the concept inspired a reality television series, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, produced and narrated by Amy Poehler. The show followed Swedish experts helping Americans declutter their homes while confronting the emotive stories attached to their belongings.
Born in Gothenburg, Magnusson was primarily an artist and illustrator before becoming an author later in life. She graduated from Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, and her art was exhibited in galleries around the world. She was a mother of five. In 2022, she published The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly, a guide to ageing and living well.
