Everything about an unexpected death is hard. There is nothing in human experience that comes close, and it is one that no one is ever prepared for, leaving those who remain with questions so uncommon survivors and victims often don’t know who to ask.

An unexpected death means an investigation and thus a crime scene and inevitably what these procedures leave behind will include blood and other bodily fluids to handle as the biohazard they are. Figuring out who will handle these final steps is uncertain and usually unclear to survivors so we will try to answer some of those questions with the following.

The hard truth is that to put things to rights as much as possible requires professional help. Crime scene cleanup requires a number of certifications, permits and professional training.

First, as difficult as it is at the time, communication is important. Find a service that understands more than just the laws and regulations necessary to this kind of clean up. They must sympathize with the needs of the grieving and bereaved, and while it might seem obvious that isn’t always the case. Talk to them and find a company that you are comfortable with.

• Who is responsible for cleaning up a crime scene after processing? We all wish that after the police and emergency services, investigators and their cohort of assistants have finished their work they would clean the scene behind them and let us return to a life with as much normalcy as possible. Sadly that is just not how it works. We are left with an almost unimaginable burden at an unimaginable time in our lives and that burden is ours alone. We are responsible for any and all cleanup and damages resulting from a crime, though we might receive monetary compensation through the courts at a later time, cleaning up after a traumatic event falls to us.
• Does My Insurance Cover the Cost of Blood/Bodily Fluid Cleanup? Many policies do cover biohazard cleanup. Talk to your insurance adjuster to confirm the details of your policy. These are some of the hardest questions to deal with in a difficult time, but your adjuster is sympathetic and prepared to answer them. This is part of their job so don’t be afraid or embarrassed.
• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Cleanup After Traumatic Events? As mentioned above many policies will cover cleanup, though coverage may vary. As far as traumatic events such as murder or suicide, most policies do not distinguish. Again, communicate with your adjuster to determine coverage.
• How much does trauma or suicide cleanup cost? As with the rest of these questions, the only good news is that help is available. Crime scene or unattended death cleanup is not easy and so is also not cheap. Cleaners and the companies they work for must both maintain a number of certifications in the handling of blood and bodily fluids but also in the disposal of the same. Additionally, their chemicals and equipment are usually hospital grade and very expensive. It is for this reason that communication is important in choosing a company to assist you, especially if insurance will not cover the full expense. Most Cleaning agencies will offer payment plans in these circumstances. they will work with you and your family to make the process as easy and manageable as possible given the circumstances.

In difficult times competent and professional assistance can make all the difference in the grieving process and the difference between spending time in the company of loved ones, versus spending those moments with strangers. The people at Bio Recovery understand your needs and work hard to make sure you spend your time with loved ones.