When my mother died, we had someone come and house sit while the family was at the funeral. Alas, a few years later we tried to sell the house by newspaper ad. House still had some furniture in it. Thieves broke in and stole what was left including my parents' sleigh bed and a couple of large medieval hunting scene tapestries.
Another word of caution. Thieves go on open house tours too!
C'est la vie.