What to Do With a Loved One's Clothing After They're Gone

There is no rush, and there is no right answer. After you lose someone, their clothing can be one of the hardest things to face and one of the hardest to let go of. A closet still smells like them. A favorite flannel still holds the shape of their shoulders. If you are not ready to decide what to do, that is okay. This is a gentle look at the options when you are.

Keep what you need to keep

There is no wrong number of things to hold onto. Many people keep a few pieces exactly as they are, a shirt to sleep in, a jacket to wear, a scarf to tuck away. Give yourself permission to keep what brings comfort.

Pass some pieces on

When you are ready, donating or sharing clothing can feel meaningful, knowing it will be used and appreciated. Family members often each want one specific item. There is no timeline you have to meet.

Turn a few favorites into a keepsake

Some pieces are too full of memory to wear and too precious to give away. Those can become something you keep close. At Krafty Bandit, Kim hand-sews clothing into keepsakes: a memory bear from a favorite shirt, a memory quilt from a wardrobe of clothing, or a memory pillow from a soft sweater. A logo, a pocket, a collar, or a set of buttons can be worked in, so the part you love most is part of the finished piece.

What to know if you would like a keepsake

• A memory bear usually takes one or two garments. A lap or throw quilt often uses around a dozen shirts, and larger quilts use more.
• Soft, stable fabrics like cotton, flannel, and jersey work beautifully. We can work around stains, thin spots, and well-worn favorites, just tell us about them.
• You can add a name, a date, or a short message with custom embroidery.
• Custom pieces take about two to four weeks to make, and we confirm your timeline when you order.

How to start, in your own time

When you feel ready, begin with our custom order form or email hello@kraftybandit.com. Then mail your clean, dry clothing to Krafty Bandit, 127 Speer Street, Belle Vernon, PA 15012. We accept mailed-in clothing from anywhere in the United States, and we treat every piece you send with care. There is no pressure and no deadline. Whenever you are ready, we are here.

If it helps to see how these come together, read our guide to memory bears and quilts or browse our memorial keepsakes.