What's that best thing I can do before moving into an apartment that someone died in?

Question

I am moving into an apartment in a huge city tomorrow. The previous owner was an old woman who I think did not get out of the apartment much for years. The walls and everything were filthy and stained with cigarette smoke, I think. My family renovated & cleaned the apartment. I am about 90% sure that this woman died in the apartment. I think it would be best to do something before I sleep in the apartment and move in, and take care of any potential presence ahead of time.Any thoughts? Your advice will be so crucial:

--what's your expert opinion on what I should do to maybe cleanse the apartment? I don't want to draw attention to the spirit world if nothing is there, but I don't want to ignore it and not cleanse it if the woman or someone is there either.

--What are things that you think I should look out for after moving it, clues, or practices that I should continue doing for a while/followup on?

--Any other advice you have, I'd greatly appreciate.

Thanks for your very quick help!

Answer 1

Clean it.  Not with "smudging" or chants of any sort, but with soap and warm water.  Then paint it or wall paper it.  Make it yours.  In so doing, the presence of that woman will evaporate.

You really don't need to explore the paranormal aspect of this.  You're moving in to a new place.  This should be an exciting part of your life that isn't hindered by magical thinking and Boogey men.  There may be some anxiety with moving into the city and the newness of it all.  Please do yourself a favor and resist the temptation to blame this anxiety on some imagined presence.

What makes you think the woman died there?  And why does it matter what religion she was?

Answer 2

I would invite the priest to do religious program e.g. reading HOLY BOOK according to religion for peace. this is my opinion according to my own religion.

Answer 3

Feng shui.

Crystals.... but you need to know what you are doing.

Keeps away the bad spirits.

Also,maybe you could paint the walls... maybe you could re-decorate the place so it feels more like your home.

Answer 4

If it's an old building, then chances are, A LOT of different people had died in it.

Thing about smokers........one pretty much has to use an oil based primer to help seal off any odors from penetrating through. Then you have the wooden floors, window and door frames, and the wooden doors themselves.

I wouldn't take on the assumption the space will be haunted.

It could very well be peaceful, minus the city noises.

Let in as much fresh air as possible, use a lot of plants to help filter any carbon dioxide out of the air, and scented potpourri to keep the rooms smelling fresh.

Answer 5

The best thing is to do away with the notion that there is anything in that apartment that is going to haunt you. And even if there were a ghost, you will find many differing opinions on how to get rid of it but absolutely no facts. In the world of mysticism, all you have are opinions and beliefs but nothing in the way of anything concrete you can believe in. So in my opinion there is no such thing as an "expert opinion" here because how can any one person be an expert on something for which there are no facts?

My advice is to forget about the ghost, move in and enjoy. If this woman was a smoker, you really should paint the walls and ceilings if you haven't already. And depending on the nature of her death and where she died, it might be hygienic to replace the carpeting. You probably want to anyway.

Answer 6

talk to your family priest.

Answer 7

Don't move in.

Answer 8

Welcome to YA Paranormal. I see this is your very first question. Maybe she was a nice lady. Maybe you don't have anything to worry about . But, I do understand your concerns. Maybe lay a Bible in plane view...whether you believe in it or not..the spirits will think you believe in it.  I guess sage works..but I never understood about it. At Thanksgiving we all use sage on our turkeys...and then hope our dead relatives are there for the holiday. I'd say put up holy pictures...but some of the worst ..evil..people  I've known have had holy pictures in their houses. (I'm not sure what makes a picture holy anyway..or what makes holy water holy.) I drank holy water one time when I was in the hospital. A priest told me not to...but I did it anyway. Wonder why he'd say that.I never thought of it till he mentioned it. I didn't die...so maybe it helped. But other bad things happened. Maybe get a lot of live flowers. (I'm thinking) It would be good if you had a dog. They can usually sense when a spirit is around.Hope you don't pick up a cigarette habit from her.Your fear of it being haunted might make it happen. Just try to be happy there. Put pictures of your family around so she'll know it's not her apt. anymore. I can't think of anything else that hasn't already been said. Good Luck. (Keep in mind..she was somebody's child. She probably went to be with her parents.)

Answer 9

I WOULD CLEAN AND PAINT AND MAKE IT SOMEWHERE PEACEFUL AND SERENE FOR YOU TO LIVE SO THERE ARE NO NEGATIVE VIBES IN THE AREA. I THINK THAT DISH SOAP AND WATER WOULD NOT AFFECT THE SPRITS!!!

Answer 10

death is part of the story, it does not know walls or rules, when it happens, it happens among us...

it is good you have a new place to move to, good luck and make of it your real home

Answer 11

Chances are that a lot of people died in that apartment building over the years of its existence.   People often die at home if they die a natural death, if they do not die in the hospital or a nursing home.     That does not mean that all their ghosts are hanging around.  So do not have that in mind when you move in.

Answer 12

First of all, dont be worried about the "spirit world" at the moment because i dont think that lady would be angry enough to haunt you, i personally think the ladys spirit has moved on to other planes and will not be bothering you.If i moved in a house knowing a human has died in it, i would be partially glad in a way because it will give me a chance to communicate with the spirit. If you do notice weird happenings in the house, which i would be shocked because it is an old lady's spirit after all i dont think it would bother you, then research online on how to communicate with it yourself,ect.

Answer 13

if nothing is wrong.....move in....if something is wrong....talk to a shrink

Answer 14

Move out the dead body and get an air freshener!!??  LOL  Call a pro home cleaning service. Find a psychic that will clear the spirit out for you, or blessed by a priest.  If you get things moving around, noises, doors opening and that sort of stuff then you may have a ghost.  Good luck.  Most ghosts aren't really much of a problem once you get used to them.

Answer 15

Every dwelling place should be blessed before being occupied, before you bring in even the first piece of furniture. That way you know everything is clean, if anything is lingering, you'll find out pretty quick.

You can do a house blessing pretty quickly, it's the intent not the words or apparatus used.

Congrats on your new move!

Answer 16

If you move in believing it to be haunted, then your mind will be sure to make you think it is.

BB

Answer 17

chances are excellent this woman has long since moved on to the light.  If you sense something, you can always contact your local chapter of ghost hunters as they specialize in this sort of thing.

If the woman is lingering, you need to encourage her to go to the light. Help her. Being trapped on this plane after passing is not a good fate.

Answer 18

Having a right spirit with God, (the right frame of mind), is all you should need to enjoy your new home. The formality of a blessing, minister, housewarming is wonderful for the living, but not critical for the well-being of the former tenants. Prayer does work wonders. Happy mother's day!

Answer 19

rent the apartment?

Answer 20

Please don't get into troubles. Just try to shift your home to any other place, probably to a place near some Church or Religious place, so that you'll have good protection. Or, you can just call a priest and ask him to perform some Religious Ceremony or some prayers, which will keep your house with the essence of god's grace. Live your life well.

Answer 21

Make sure the body has been removed.

Answer 22

You may not have any problems, but two things came to mind. The first is that you can get some blessing oil and anoint the apartment before you move in and the other is smudge it with sage. Personally I would do both if it would make you more comfortable.

Answer 23

My advice is just stop worrying about it. Chances are you've been in many places where people have died ; that doesn't automatically make them haunted.

But if you are still worried remember that whatever you BELIEVE will help, is what will work.

Answer 24

You could burn some sage.That's said to send spirits on their way.Or you could see how silly your fears are Chances are in any building that's not brand new.Someone died there,you just wouldn't know it.

Answer 25

The best thing to do is not think about it.  An active mind will imagine the activity of a ghost or presence in your apartment and make your new apartment creepy.