Unattended death cleanup

What the work involves

• Confirming the medical examiner or coroner has released the property.
• Removing affected flooring, subfloor sections, furniture and other porous materials.
• Cleaning and disinfecting what can be saved, and sealing surfaces where that is appropriate.
• Treating odor at its source rather than masking it, and checking that it does not return.
• Dealing with insects and pests drawn to the area, or coordinating with a pest control company.
• Setting aside papers, photographs and valuables for the family or owner.

What to expect

Families are often managing a death, an estate and a property at the same time, sometimes from another state. We can work with the next of kin, an executor, a landlord or a property manager, and we put the scope and price in writing before work begins.

What to do now

• Keep the door closed and do not run fans that spread the air through the house.
• Do not remove furniture or bedding yourself.
• If the home is a rental, tell the landlord or property manager.
• Ask the medical examiner or police what has been released and whether anything still needs to be collected.

Where we do this work

Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. Each state page covers the rules that affect cleanup there.

• Tennessee
• Kentucky
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• Georgia
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Arkansas

This page is general information, not legal, medical or insurance advice. Rules change; check current requirements with the agency named.