Grief and Belongings
A Curating Grief® guide to navigating the practical and emotional aftermath of loss.
After someone you love dies, the belongings they leave behind rarely feel like “just stuff.”
A toothbrush. A coffee mug. An old sweater. A half-empty bottle of soy sauce.
Suddenly, everyday objects can feel impossible to deal with because they’re carrying so much more than their physical weight.
Through Curating Grief®, I help people understand why this happens, and offer a compassionate way to move forward.
Why is it so hard to decide what do with the belongings after a loved one dies?
If you’re grieving and overwhelmed by closets, boxes, or an entire home full of belongings, you’re not alone. The objects left behind carry memory, emotion, identity, and connection. That’s why dealing with them can feel so overwhelming.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t I throw away something as ordinary as a bottle of soy sauce?” you’re in the right place.
Introducing Curating Grief ... a different approach to the belongings and meaningful objects:
Watch the Signature Talk
Struggling with choosing what to keep after a loved one dies? In my signature talk, I share the origin story behind the Curating Grief® methodology.
Read the Book
Weaving in the personal story of emptying out my mom’s house with key concepts of the Curating Grief approach, my book Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to Choosing What to Keep After a Loved One Dies is a great starting point.
TEDx Talk: What Grief and Soy Sauce Taught Me About Life After Loss
Selected as a TEDx Editor’s Pick with over 20k views, this 11min talk shares a helpful concept for anyone struggling to let go of belongings and physical items: Holding Lightly.
Ready to Go Deeper?
THE COURSE
Grief and Belongings: Sorting the Stuff of Life and Loss
A self-paced Curating Grief course. If the belongings are what’s bringing you here, the Grief and Belongings: Sorting the Stuff of Life and Loss online course is gentle introduction to using the lens of Curating Grief to choosing what to keep and what to release.
PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
Grief Clarity Call
Sometimes the belongings aren’t the real problem. Sometimes they’re opening the door to a much bigger grief. Get a taste of private grief coaching with my Grief Clarity Call, where we make space for you to unload and see all that you’ve been carrying.
Hello and Olá!
If you've been looking for grief support, but you're not feeling seen or heard - it's not you. Grief support isn't one size fits all.
CHARLENE LAM
When my mom died suddenly in 2013, I found myself adrift — and confused. My grief didn’t look like what I expected. I questioned so much: Was I grieving correctly? How was I supposed to go on? Was I a bad daughter?
The burden I felt was both practical and emotional. I was drowning in grief … and my mom’s belongings.
It’s a common problem: Feeling overwhelmed, stuck and unable to move forward after the death of a loved one. My uncommon solution: Curating an exhibition about my mother!
Now I help other people with their grief and experiences of loss, using the lens of curating and the powerful tools of coaching. As a certified grief coach, I work 1:1 with individuals, using my Curating Grief framework to help people process grief and loss in a creative, accessible way. Whether you’re struggling with the physical stuff or dealing with the emotional stuff, I can help.
CONTACT
- hello@charlenelam.com
CONNECT
YOU ARE ALL WELCOME
THE BOOK
My first book Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to Choosing What to Keep After a Loved One Dies
WORK WITH ME
GRIEF COACHING
MEET ME IN LISBON
SPEAKING AND WORKSHOPS
PICK MY BRAIN
MONTHLY GRIEF GATHERING
Join us for The Grief Gallery's free, supportive grief group gathering the last Wednesday of the month, 2pm ET (7pm UK).
SEE ALL EVENTS
CURATING GRIEF PODCAST
- Listen to the Curating Grief podcast
GRIEF RESOURCES
Need help with grief? I can help.
Curating Grief® — A creative and compassionate approach to engaging with loss.
Part of the Curating Grief® ecosystem — visit The Grief Gallery® for community and creative witnessing.
Get in touch: Email hello@charlenelam.com
Note: Coaching and coaching consultations are not a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other qualified professionals. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, contact 911 or your local emergency services.
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