Timely topic. My mother in law passed on Labor Day and my wife and her brother had to deal with the house and contents. Mom and Dad had already emptied the attic and sold off, or gave away, most of the big ticket items. Mom was a thrifty woman who had absolutely every cabinet and drawer filled with multiples of all types of things. You name it, she had it. it took them almost two weeks to get it all out and gone. Food items with expiration dates from years ago....etc.
We have learned from that experience and have been systematically reducing our stuff down to minimums. Everything goes to our son Tim, or friends for specific items like my wife's quilting stuff and everything in my garage. Tim has flat out told us he will immediately sell this land and home and everything left in it. He has zero interest in living here. he has zero interest in anything in the house except for a very few items. We have made specific plans for all of our animals too since some of them will outlive us for sure. Wills, trusts and other instruments are regularly updated/changed. Do your family a favor and downsize. Also do them another favor and dispose of any letters, diaries, or correspondence that say anything you don't wish your children to read. It is exceedingly hurtful to read that sort of stuff after your gone. Mom didn't, and it hurt Lynn and Mark very much to find out what she really felt. "Be nice, put that **** on ice."