Long World Services for the Living
After a Loved One passes on, we put the home to rest so you can grieve in peace
312.286.0586
Testimonials
Pamela and Evan, you are Lifesavers! Over several days you gracefully addressed and moved out 50 years worth of accumulation from my mother's house. Anything that needed doing, you did it. Your skill at managing multiple projects to completion, (cleaning to donations, sales to staging, and your ability to find new homes/purposes for 95% of the things there) made a huge difference for me and saved perfectly good items from going to the the landfill. Your services were essential for my well being in this transition. THANK YOU!
I would not hesitate to recommend Long World for anyone faced with tackling the estate of a loved one. I do not know what we would have done without Pamela and Long World, who thoughtfully and with great care ensured that everything in our family home of 50 years was "put to rest." We knew that our loved one would not have wanted a traditional estate sale where everything was marked with a price tag and the public came marching through the property. With a large property in a high rise, our family spread across the US, and the challenges of the pandemic, we knew we needed a professional. We found everything we wanted and more in Long World. Long World ensured that beloved possessions like an old piano found a good home. They adopted much loved plants. They provided trustworthy guidance and recommendations on the value of what could be sold, and brought in experts for the higher end possessions. They donated warm coats to the homeless. Went through countless drawers. Set aside valuables that we had missed. Worked with building management to deconflict elevator access. Delivered furniture that we wanted to keep to our homes. Communicated often. Kept detailed invoices. And left the place spotless and ready for sale. All in 10 days. I would not hesitate to use Long World again. I would fly them in for a job not in the Chicago area. This process could have really stressed the relationships of the living, but thanks to Pamela and Long World we are closer. We cannot put a price on that.
Thank you Long World.
As a funeral director, I'm asked about services to help families handle the tasks of organizing and disposition of a loved ones belongings. If it's not an immediate family member, where do you begin? What's there? If I make a referral, if things are not to the family's approval, it looks bad on our firm. I took a risk on a loose referral from a friend in home health care. Not only was the feedback from the family extremely positive but Pamela showed up at the funeral home to personally deliver belongings that the family wanted displayed during the celebration of life for their loved one. The family made special mention of the organization and detail they were given. I've since referred Long World and receive only the highest of feedback. I'm proud to refer a firm that I know will show the respect and details the families deserve.
Long World Services is a life saver and sent from the heavens! Cleaning out a home after someone has lived there for years is an enormous undertaking. It’s not fun, or glamorous or easy, but Pamela makes it a breeze. Not only does she make the problem go away, but she does it with great care. She finds homes for as many of the items as possible, so as not to create additional landfill! She also tries to donate and support local entities who are often missed or overlooked. If you, or anyone you know, needs their home cleaned out, Pamela and Long World Services is a must!
-Betsy, Northbrook, IL (Google)
Pamela did a wonderful job of taking so much weight off my shoulders. We recently consolidated two homes into one, and had to leave many of our belongings behind when we moved out. Pamela knew just what to do with the items, and was able to sell or donate much of it. Trying to do that myself would have been a Herculean task, and I was able to focus on moving my items and settling into the new house. She was always reassuring and eased my mind. Thank you!!
Long World provides a custom “estate sale” experience without huge fees. Pamela Martin is a true professional - she is exceptionally patient and helpful in providing next steps to clients who are downsizing or to families who are trying to sort through a loved ones possessions. As a realtor I was truly impressed with how quickly Pamela and her team were able to help my clients move from a home they had lived in for 40 plus years. The place was immaculate at the walkthrough and she and her team went beyond the call of duty shoveling the drive and walk ways! Thank you Long World!
-Sonia, Winnetka, IL (Google)
To say their service was great is an understatement. My wife contacted them to assist in the complete "clean out" of her Aunt's house, which was very cluttered. They took 3 days and the results were beyond belief. They were able to sell some stuff, donate a lot, and get rid of what they could not find a taker for. The house looked extremely clean. They do charge a fee and it is well worth it. And during the final walkthrough they even presented us with a check for items they were able to sell. To describe their services would be professional, courteous, and fabulous communications. We highly recommend them.
-Joe, Mount Prospect, IL (Facebook)
I cannot say enough positive things about Long World, Services for the Living. I recently lost my Father and had to put my Mother in an Assisted Living Facility.
I needed to sell their house and was overwhelmed. My parents had lived in their house for 60+ years. Over the years, they had accumulated tons of stuff and lots of family memorabilia.
A good friend of mine, who is a realtor, recommended Pamela and her company, The Long World, to me.
What Pamela and her husband, Evan, did for me is short of a miracle. They handled everything with expertise, kid gloves and love, from staging the house for sale to selling furniture, donating things, packing, researching items dear to my parents, etc. All of the proceeds from the sale of items they gave to me.
Pamela and Evan were amazing! On top of all this, they were the nicest, most caring people. They treated my parents' home like it was their own home.
I cannot recommend their services enough. Long World is a wonderful, excellent company.
By the way, thanks in large part to Pamela and Evan, 2 days after the house was listed, a couple went to the house, said they loved it, that it felt like home. They purchased the house.
Thank you Pamela and Evan for all your hard work. You are amazing. I appreciate all that you've done for me and my family. I appreciate you and your fantastic company, Long World.
-Marian, Chicago (Google)
I used this service when moving my Mother-in-Law into an independent living community. The greatest value of working with Long World Services for the Living ("LWS") was the time we were able to spend getting her settled in her new home. Were it not for Pamela and Evan we would have had to spend days clearing out her condo prior to its sale. This way we were able to be with her and attend to her needs immediately after the move and that helped with the transition.
Another great part of working with LWS was that the items no longer needed were responsibly disposed of, recycled, or sold with 100% of the profits going back to us. Bedding went to the homeless. Papers were shredded. Metal was recycled. Furniture and Vintage curios were sold and we made a tidy sum which helped us defray the cost of the service. Is LWS worth the investment? You betcha! Thanks Pamela and Evan for making this move a success.
-Kevin, River Forest, IL (Google)
Pamela and Evan made this whole process so easy for me, especially since I was not in town for most of the time. I received daily updates and photos of relevant documents and personal items. Pamela was literally available to me at anytime. Even with our time difference, she was prompt in responding to any questions or concerns that came up along the way. They went above and beyond in every measurable way. I can sincerely recommend them in the highest esteem. Kind, considerate, and compassionate every step of the way. Professional and courteous, as well.
Pamela and Evan and team are wonderful. They helped clean out my sister’s home after she passed away. They are so kind and compassionate and communicate so well. They took care of everything from cleaning her home, delivering donations, delivering items and furniture to family members and finding auction houses. They helped us get through the process seamlessly. I highly recommend them to help get things in order after the loss of a loved one.
When we got the shocking news that our family member had died suddenly in Chicago we had to spring into action. I got a reference to Long World Services. Right away we knew we were in good hands. Pamela’s help sun-setting our sister’s apartment was invaluable, bordering on the miraculous. A partial list of what she did: arrange for and work with vendors for the services we needed to clean the condo, organize all of the items in the apartment in Dropbox folders for us to review and so we could determine how to dispose of the items such as give to family members, sell at auction, donate, send to us, take items to family members in the Chicago area, send some items directly to us. In short Pamela was there to help in any way needed and sometimes in ways we hadn't even thought of. She approached each task lovingly, empathetic and professionally. We would highly recommend Long World Services if you need help closing a home of a loved one who has passed away.
I was referred to Long World Services after my wonderful big brother suddenly died way too young. He had previously asked me to be his executor and I never imagined that I would have to carry out those responsibilities. Thank goodness my sister who is a real estate agent had heard of Long World Services. Pamela and Evan swooped in and provided all of the support that I needed in taking care of my brother's Leftovers (my loving term for his intentionally minimal material life). I engaged Long World Services to sort through my brother's house and find the best place for those Leftovers. Pamela and Evan were extremely respectful, identified particular items that they appropriately brought to my attention, and found new homes for my brother's Leftovers. They are trustworthy, responsive, provided documentation of all of their work (including donation receipts and up to date sales of items), and are simply amazing people to work with. I cannot thank Pamela and Evan enough.
-Jennifer, Chicago (Google)
We were incredibly impressed how quickly Long World worked to get our home in a livable fashion again. They were super organized, worked well as a team and sorted our things in different categories to make the total disbursement flow. They were flexible and caring and considerate to our needs. They checked in regularly and were very understanding if I changed my mind about something. They were on time each day and started right in. At the end of the day they checked in with me and updated me on their progress and what their plan was for the next day. I would highly recommend Long World to anyone who prefers a caring, considerate attitude and a professional experience.
-Lynn, Glendale Heights, IL (Google)
I have worked with Pamela and Long World Services for the Living on multiple projects. We have shared clients who first downsized and then were packed and moved to a smaller home. That’s where Long World has come in and cleaned out my clients home getting it not only emptied, but cleaned and ready for closing! Pamela has provided my clients with this invaluable service. Pamela is such an honest and trustworthy person to provide a clean out for the home of clients who have downsized and moved or for families who have had a loved one pass away. I have been very impressed with her work and resourcefulness in helping clients sell, donate or gift their belongings that have been left behind. She and her partner Evan work very hard to finish timely, but with sensitivity and care. She turns over all money earned from sales of belongings to the client. This means she charges a fee for her clean-out services, but the client earns the full sales amount. She is honest and upfront if items do not have a good resale value, which is important to know. It is a very fair and upfront way to do business. I highly recommend Pamela and Long World Services.
-Lisa Joy Rosing, Owner of Joy of Downsizing, Chicago (Facebook)
My sister and I feel so fortunate to have found Long World Services to help us clean out our mother’s home after she died. The intention of Long World’s business motto of “Putting a home to rest” permeates every aspect of this business. Our mom’s house had five bedrooms, a basement, attic and a 2-car, 2-1/2 story garage. It was filled with sixty years worth of objects and memories.
Pamela and Evan are two amazing people that understand the emotional toll that cleaning out the home of a loved one can take. They are so kind, compassionate, gentle and respectful. They know what it’s like to go through this process and that wisdom helps them to be very supportive and practical. They have great senses of humor, are creative and flexible.
Pamela and Evan have a wonderful network of people they work with that can sell, donate or recycle items that you do not want to keep. They are committed to finding use for as many of these things as possible. They donate to refugee organizations, schools and other helpful institutions.
My sister and I cannot say enough about how grateful we are to Long World Services and Pamela and Evan! They are the best!
-Margaret, Evanston, IL