[SorryShaped]

Was talking to Mom. The conversation led to what would be done with all her crap when she's done with it forever. I use "crap" because most of it is just that, crap. She keeps everything. I did not use the word "crap" which is more appropriate for it, but wasn't for the conversation. She asked what we'd do with it all. I have been rehearsing this one in my head for a long long time.
I was honest and said, "I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, but almost all of it will be thrown away. None of us want this stuff Mom. It's not valuable and we all have our own stuff already. Think of the 'Pickers' show you watch. The kids that inherit the things don't want them. They frequently show the pickers going into houses stuffed full of things and leave with a van or less of things. That much left of it goes in the trash. Nobody will want it."
She got very angry. "Well, why don't I throw it all away right now?! I don't want you to have to."
"Because you like it Mom. We accept that you cling to these things. We understand why, because we have our own things that we cling to. It's ok. Just know that we don't want it, and you're going to have to accept that."
"Somebody will want it."
"Maybe, if we feel like donating it somewhere. But honestly, an entire house full of things is more than most people want to go through after losing someone. They don't feel up to it and aren't concerned with the things. Things aren't the person or the memories. They say that on the pickers show very often."
"I don't like it."
"I know. It's tough to think this lifetime of stuff is only valuable to one person. I evaluated that a while back and threw out most of my stuff. I realized I didn't need to try to pass it along. Nobody would want it. I pitched it so they don't have to. I made their lives easier by simplifying mine. You don't have to. It's ok."
"I'm not throwing my stuff away. It's mine and I am keeping it."
"It's ok Mom. We all accept that."
"Why don't you go somewhere else? You're making me mad."
I cautiously and quietly left the room at this point. I think she's cooled off now but that's a hard one to have to wrap your head around. What do I have that other people, those closest to me, will want when I'm gone? How much easier could my own life and theirs become if I just let things go? It doesn't have to be just physical things.

It's too late now, but maybe if you had asked her if she had ideas for how to specifically handle select items of sentiment or value rather than "all of the stuff" it would have been an easier conversation. There is still the opportunity for you (or a sibling) to ask her if she would take some time to write down what she'd like to give to whom, and include it in her will or as a document that accompanies the will. It's possible that even if she leaves you a scruffy old teddy bear that maybe that will be an item you'd like to keep. The rest can be trashed or sold as you and your siblings agree to.

My parents died at 40 and 43. I didn't handle my dads stuff, though he wouldn't have had much. Most of my moms stuff was donated. I have a few odds and ends, but mostly I didn't want it. Memories are enough.

[SorryShaped]

They have a three bedroom house, two car garage, storage shed and three separate attic areas. All full. I won't go through this crap. My sister and I already talked about it. Dad doesn't want any of it if he goes first. He already said "I'll sell it all and get a teardrop and go everywhere" if she goes first. He's got the most intrinsic value, because he has a lot of tools.

[Pheasant11]

I’m an only child. I’ve had to have the same conversation. My parents are very pragmatic. What I do is what I do. Sell it. Go through it. Burn it. It’s just things. I believe I got very lucky with my parents on that topic. It has to he discussed. I hope it goes in the right direction for you.

[SorryShaped]

I did hear mom on the phone later, talking to her sister who also said she doesn't want any of it either, except one of those bridge paintings. Too freaking bad, I already get one and my sister the other. Dad painted those years before we were born and one before they met. It's the only thing I do want, one of those. The rest of it's all nothing to me. I don't even want the pictures. I threw away my pictures even, after I let Google store them.