What should families do with a parent's belongings and furniture?

Start with the new space. Measure the rooms and make a list of what will actually fit, then work through the house category by category: everyday items, furniture, keepsakes, documents, and valuables. What moves should earn its place; what stays should be handled deliberately.

For the rest, the common paths are giving to family, selling through an estate sale or consignment, donating to a charity, and responsibly discarding. Valuables and important documents should be set aside early and handled separately from the general sorting.

The emotional weight is real, so pace the work and involve the person where possible. Many families hire a senior move manager or downsizing service to handle the sorting, sale, and logistics, which keeps the process moving without putting the whole burden on the family.