Keeping or discarding items that belonged to someone who has passed away is a very personal decision, but in some cases it’s actually recommended not to keep certain things. Some items can pose health risks, legal issues, or emotional burdens. Here are the main categories you generally should not keep:
Medications & Medical Supplies
Prescription drugs, especially controlled substances (like painkillers or sedatives), should never be kept or reused. It’s illegal and unsafe. Many pharmacies offer medication take-back programs for proper disposal. The same applies to used medical equipment such as needles, oxygen tubing, or personal medical devices that can’t be sanitized safely.
Hazardous or Expired Materials
Cleaning chemicals, old paint, pesticides, automotive fluids, or any toxic substances should not be stored long-term. These can degrade and become dangerous. Contact your local waste management service for safe disposal guidelines.
Financial & Identity Documents
Old credit cards, expired IDs, bank statements, tax records older than required retention periods, and anything containing sensitive personal information should be shredded to prevent identity theft. However, important legal documents (wills, property deeds, insurance policies) should be reviewed before discarding.
