No one plans for this. If someone has died in your home, whether by violence, suicide, an accident or after days alone, you are now facing decisions you never expected to make. This guide walks through the first day in order. You do not have to do all of it at once, and you do not have to do any of it alone.
You can talk to someone right now
If you are thinking about harming yourself, or you are struggling after a suicide loss, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time of day. In an emergency, call 911.
Step by step
- Call 911 first. Any unexpected death at home needs police and, in most places, the medical examiner or coroner. They will decide what happens next and when.
- Let the investigation finish. Until officers release the property, it is their scene. Before they leave, ask for the case or report number and the name of the investigator. Insurers and state victim compensation programs will ask for both.
- Do not clean it yourself. Blood and other body fluids can carry bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Contamination often travels below what you can see, into subflooring, grout, drywall and furniture. Household cleaners are not designed for it, and the emotional cost of doing it yourself is real.
- Close off the area. Shut the door if you can, and keep children and pets away. Ask the cleanup company whether heating or cooling should be adjusted before they arrive.
- Call your insurance company. Many homeowners and renters policies may cover some or all of the cleanup, depending on the policy and the cause. Read our guide on who pays for crime scene cleanup.
- Choose a qualified cleanup company. Use the questions below. Most reputable companies answer the phone around the clock and can be on site within hours.
- Tell them what matters to you. Photos, documents, jewelry, a favorite chair: a good crew will ask what you want saved, recover what can be safely cleaned, and document what cannot.
Eight questions to ask any cleanup company
- Are your technicians trained under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
- Do you follow the ANSI/IICRC S540 standard for trauma and crime scene cleanup, and do your technicians hold IICRC certification?
- How do you transport and dispose of biohazardous waste, and who is your licensed disposal partner?
- Will you give me a written estimate before work begins?
- Do you work directly with my insurance company?
- Will you document the job with photos and a written report?
- How do you confirm the area is clean when you are done?
- Do you arrive in unmarked vehicles, if privacy matters to us?
What a reputable company will not do
A professional crew will not pressure you to sign anything while you are in shock, will not refuse to put an estimate in writing, and will not discourage you from calling your insurer. If something feels wrong, it is fine to say no and call someone else.
You are allowed to take a breath. The scene does not have to be handled in the next hour.
Taking care of yourself
Many families say the hardest part came after the cleanup crew left. Grief after a traumatic death is different, and it is normal to need help. Your funeral director, your doctor and local victim advocates (often part of the police department or prosecutor’s office) can point you to support groups and counselors.
Find help near you
You can search the directory by city or state. Every company there serves families and homeowners, and you can read how we check listings.
