Cleaning Out the Closet: Communicated Narrative Sense-Making of Bereavement

Communicated Narrative Sense-Making Theory was applied to 14 semi-structured interviews to explore stories of sorting through a deceased family member's belongings/changing the home after death (cleaning out the closet). Family stories about cleaning out the closet yielded retrospective storytelling content themes regarding why changes were made/not made, how family members communicated when deciding to make any changes, and what changed or didn't change as a result of cleaning out the closet. These results advance the claim that cleaning out the closet functions as a unique site where the instrumental task meets narrative communication openings for families, and that this task offers key opportunities for sense-making, socialization, and well-being during the turbulent period of bereavement.

Automated summary

Through interviews with family members sorting through a deceased family member's belongings, the study found that cleaning out the closet serves as a unique space for communication, understanding, and well-being for families during the turbulent period of bereavement.