An unattended death happens when someone passes away alone, and their passing isn’t immediately discovered. This kind of situation can be incredibly challenging for loved ones, as it often involves both emotional pain and practical issues that need urgent attention.
Unattended deaths are more common than many people realize, and there are many compassionate professional services to help loved ones. Learn how to handle the aftermath of an unattended death to address your immediate and long-term needs.
Contact the Police
If you discover an unattended death, contact your local emergency services by dialing 911 or the appropriate number in your area. The dispatcher you speak to will want details about the situation, including the location, the state of the scene, and any known information about the deceased. Try to be patient and answer their questions thoroughly, as it will help authorities prepare their response.
Law enforcement and emergency personnel will arrive, secure the area, and assess the situation. They may conduct an initial investigation to determine what happened and ensure that there are no immediate safety risks. You’ll likely be asked some follow-up questions, so try to provide any details that could assist them.
Avoid Disturbing the Scene
Law enforcement will document the state of the scene to help determine the cause of death. An unattended death can result in the presence of hazardous substances and materials that pose significant health and safety risks. For these reasons, it’s important to avoid altering anything in the area before the authorities arrive.
After contacting the authorities, you can take these steps:
- Do not touch or move any objects near the deceased.
- Avoid cleaning up or removing items from the area.
- Refrain from rearranging furniture or other belongings.
- Do not enter the area unless necessary.
- Avoid covering or altering the body in any way.
Hire a Professional Cleanup Service
Cleaning up after an unattended death is not a task anyone should handle on their own. First and foremost, the decomposition process releases bodily fluids and other biohazard substances. Additionally, handling the cleanup on your own can expose you to deeply distressing sights and smells, which can complicate the grieving process and make emotional healing more difficult.
Professional unattended death cleanup sanitizes and restores the areas affected by the event. In most cases, insurance will cover the cost of the cleanup. Cleaning technicians will protect your health, provide emotional relief, and ensure a thorough clean-up.
Before choosing a cleanup service, check that the company is licensed, insured, and specializes in unattended death cleanups. Consider reading reviews or asking about their process to ensure they are discreet, compassionate, and thorough.
Protecting Health and Safety
Unattended death scenes often harbor biohazards that carry dangerous bacteria, viruses, or other infectious agents. Professional technicians follow strict safety protocols to clean and sanitize items and dispose of hazardous waste safely. Licensed and certified technicians remove all contamination and make the space safe to return to.
Providing Emotional Relief
Dealing with the aftermath of an unattended death is emotionally devastating, and the cleanup process can deepen that pain. By hiring professionals, you can avoid the distress of confronting traumatic reminders and focus on grieving in a healthy way. Cleanup technicians approach the task with compassion and work discreetly.
At Bio Recovery, we confer with you about how you want personal items handled, and we explain our cleanup process before starting so that everyone is on the same page. We will answer any questions you may have about the cleanup process, and we work efficiently to make the process as seamless as possible.
Restoring the Space Thoroughly
Beyond just cleaning, professional services work to restore the affected space to its original condition. Technicians use specialized tools and techniques to eliminate stains, odors, and structural damage caused by decomposition. Their methods remove all physical traces of the unattended death, providing a sense of closure and comfort.
Notify Loved Ones
When an unattended death occurs, it’s important to notify immediate family members and anyone who was close to the deceased, such as friends or coworkers. Start by sharing the news with family before moving on to others, as this allows the closest loved ones to hear it from someone they trust. Use clear but gentle language, explaining what happened without overwhelming the person with too many details at once.
To make this difficult task a little easier, choose a quiet moment and setting where you can speak privately. If making phone calls feels too hard, ask a trusted friend or family member for support in communicating the news.
Manage Legal and Administrative Matters
The next of kin, an executor named in the will, or a court-appointed representative will typically manage the legal and administrative matters of an unattended death. After the medical examiner or coroner determines the cause of death, they will issue a death certificate. This document is necessary for processes like closing accounts or accessing finances.
Next, you may need to contact the bank, insurance provider, or landlord to settle accounts or cancel services. If your loved one had a will, you’ll also work with an attorney or executor to manage or distribute assets according to their wishes.
Seek Emotional Support
Coping with the emotional aftermath of an unattended death can feel like a heavy weight on your mind and heart. You might find yourself replaying what happened or questioning if things could have been different. You might feel deeply unsettled by what happened, and moments of numbness or disbelief can occur. Give yourself permission to grieve in your own way and at your own pace; there’s no “right” way to feel.
Feelings of guilt and sadness are natural, but it’s essential to remind yourself that what happened was beyond your control. To protect your emotional well-being, try to establish a routine that includes small moments of self-care. Seek support from friends, family, or a licensed counselor. Speaking to someone about your feelings can alleviate the sense of isolation and help you process the event.
In summary, after an unattended death, you will need to coordinate with law enforcement, avoid disrupting the scene, and arrange for professional biohazard cleanup. Notifying loved ones gives them the opportunity to grieve and assist with decisions or arrangements that may arise. Throughout the process, give yourself space to reflect, grieve, and lean on others for support.