Frequently Asked Questions About Death Scene Cleanup

The basics of death scene cleanup

What is death scene cleanup?

It is the professional removal of blood, bodily fluids and other biological material left in a place where someone died, followed by disinfection and deodorization of the affected area. It also includes removing materials that cannot be safely cleaned, such as soaked carpet pad or a mattress. It is sometimes called trauma cleanup, biohazard remediation or after-death cleanup.

Is it the same as crime scene cleanup?

They overlap. Crime scene cleanup happens after a crime; death scene cleanup covers any death that leaves biological material behind, including natural deaths, accidents and suicides. The methods are similar. Our page on crime scene cleanup covers the crime-related side.

Is it needed after every death at home?

No. Many people die peacefully at home without leaving anything that needs specialist cleaning. It is needed when blood or bodily fluids have reached flooring, furniture, walls or other surfaces, or when a death was not discovered for some time.

Who usually arranges it?

Family members, executors, landlords, property managers and business owners. Whoever has authority over the property and is willing to approve the work can arrange it. You do not have to be the next of kin.

What happens before cleanup can start

Can cleanup start while police are still there?

No. Law enforcement and the medical examiner must finish their work and release the scene first. Cleanup companies cannot enter before that, and neither should family members.

Who investigates a death in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, county medical examiners investigate deaths that happen suddenly and unexpectedly in people in otherwise good health, deaths related to any type of trauma, possible or confirmed overdoses, suspicious or unnatural deaths, and deaths of people in state custody. Police respond as well when circumstances call for it.

Will my family be charged for an autopsy?

Not for a forensic autopsy ordered by the medical examiner. According to the Tennessee Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner, forensic autopsies are paid for by the state and the county ordering the investigation.

How long does an autopsy report take?

The state's medical examiner office says most autopsy reports are completed within 10 to 12 weeks, and that additional investigation or lab work can take longer. Cleanup does not have to wait for the report; it only has to wait for the scene to be released.

How do I find out when the home is released?

Ask the officer or investigator you are dealing with. Write down their name and any report number. If you are not sure who to ask, the non-emergency line of the responding agency can usually point you to the right person.

What to do, and not do, in the meantime

Should I try to clean anything myself?

Please don't. Blood and bodily fluids can carry bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, according to the CDC, and fluids often soak further into materials than you can see. It is also very hard emotionally. The guide on what not to do before an assessment explains more.

What can I safely do?

Keep people and pets out of the area, close the door, and if it is easy, avoid running fans or the HVAC system into that space. Don't throw anything away until you have spoken to your insurer. Then call a cleanup company.

Can I go in to get important documents or a pet's things?

If the items are outside the affected area and the scene has been released, usually yes. If they are in the affected room, ask the cleanup crew to retrieve them for you during the work.

Should I open the windows?

Opening a window for a short time is generally fine, but do not set up fans blowing air from the affected area through the rest of the home. That can spread odor more widely.

How the cleanup itself works

What does the crew actually do?

They assess the area, set up containment to separate it from the rest of the property, remove contaminated porous materials, clean and disinfect hard surfaces with EPA-registered disinfectants used according to label directions, deodorize, and package waste for disposal. The guide on the cleanup process from inquiry to completion walks through each stage.

Why does carpet or flooring often need to come out?

Porous materials like carpet, pad and some subfloors absorb fluids below the surface, where cleaning cannot reliably reach. Removing them is often the only way to deal with the contamination fully. See what happens to contaminated porous materials.

How long does cleanup take?

It depends on how far contamination spread, the materials involved and access. A single small area may take part of a day; a home with several affected rooms or a delayed discovery can take longer. The assessor will give you an estimate for your situation.

Do I need to be there during the work?

No. Many families prefer not to be. You need to give access and be reachable by phone to approve anything unexpected. Some people want to be present at the start or end, and that is fine too.

Will the neighbors know what is happening?

Ask the company how they arrive and work. Many families value discretion, and it is a reasonable thing to request.

When a death was not discovered right away

Why is cleanup different after a delayed discovery?

When some time passes before a person is found, fluids can reach deeper into flooring and structure, and odor can spread through the home. More material often has to be removed, and odor work becomes a bigger part of the job. Our page on unattended death cleanup explains this in more detail.

Will the odor go away?

The goal of professional remediation is to remove the source of the odor and then treat what remains. Odor usually returns if contaminated material is left behind, which is why removal matters so much. The guide on biohazard remediation and odor explains why air fresheners alone do not work.

Could it affect a neighboring apartment?

Sometimes. In shared buildings, fluids or odor can reach adjoining spaces. The assessment should consider them, and the property manager may need to be involved. See unattended death cleanup in apartments.

Belongings, keepsakes and the home

What happens to my loved one's belongings?

Items outside the affected area are not touched unless you ask. Items in the affected area are assessed: hard items can often be cleaned, while soaked porous items usually cannot be saved. You decide what happens to anything that can be kept.

Can photos, jewelry or papers be saved?

Often, if they were not heavily contaminated. Tell the crew in advance which items matter most so they can look for them and set them aside.

Who decides what gets thrown away?

You, or whoever approved the work, together with your insurer if you have a claim. A good company will not dispose of personal items without discussing them first, other than contaminated materials listed in the agreed scope.

Will the house need repairs afterward?

Sometimes. If drywall, subfloor or flooring is removed, those will need replacing. That is usually a contractor's job, not part of biohazard cleanup. We will tell you if your property is likely to need one.

Cost, insurance and help paying

How much does death scene cleanup cost?

It depends on the extent of contamination, materials, number of rooms, access and waste volume. Pricing is based on a written scope after an assessment. The guide on how pricing is determined explains the factors.

Does homeowner's insurance pay for it?

Some property policies may cover some of this work, but it depends entirely on the policy and the insurer. Call your insurer, ask directly, and write down the answer. We can provide photographs, a written scope and an itemized invoice for your claim.

Is there help if the death was a crime?

Tennessee Criminal Injuries Compensation may consider up to $3,000 for cleaning and removal of materials when the crime happened in the victim's or an eligible relative's home in Tennessee. It does not cover repairs. The crime generally must be reported within 15 days, claims are generally filed within two years, and the program pays only what other sources such as insurance do not.

Who pays if the death happened in a rental?

It varies with the lease, the circumstances and the insurance involved. Landlords, tenants' families and insurers sometimes need to talk it through. The landlord's guide covers the questions that usually come up.

Do I have to pay before work starts?

Many companies ask for a deposit. Our Order Online page takes a $2,000 initial deposit, which is not the final price and does not guarantee work begins within 24 hours. You can also call first to talk it through.

Living in, renting or selling the property afterward

Is the home safe to live in after cleanup?

Once contaminated materials are removed and the area has been cleaned and disinfected, the affected space can usually be returned to normal use, subject to any repairs. Ask the company how they check the area before handing it back.

Do I have to tell buyers or renters that someone died there?

Tennessee law, T.C.A. 66-5-207, says no cause of action arises against an owner or real estate licensee for failing to disclose that a property was the site of a homicide, felony or suicide. That is general information, not legal advice. If you are selling or renting, talk to an attorney or your agent.

Can I stay in the house while the cleanup happens?

It depends on the size of the affected area and where it is. Many families stay elsewhere for a day or two. The crew will tell you whether the rest of the home can be used during the work.

Emotional questions people ask

Is it normal not to want to see the room again?

Yes. Many people never go back into the affected room until it has been cleaned, and some not even then. There is no right way to feel about it.

Should a family member stay to supervise?

Only if they want to. Supervising is not required. If someone does want to be involved, they can meet the crew at the start, approve the scope and then leave.

Where can I find support if I am struggling?

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are in emotional distress, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Grief counselors, faith communities and your doctor can also help. Our guide for families arranging unattended death cleanup includes more practical support.

Health and safety questions

Is it dangerous to be in the rest of the house?

Areas that were not affected are generally not a concern. The risk comes from direct contact with blood or bodily fluids and contaminated materials. Keeping the affected room closed and staying out of it is the main precaution.

What protective equipment do cleanup crews use?

Typically disposable suits, gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection suited to the job. The guide on professional cleanup equipment and PPE explains what each item is for.

What if I already touched something before I knew?

Wash your hands and any skin that had contact with soap and water. If you have a cut, a needle-type injury or contact with your eyes or mouth, or if you are worried, call your doctor and explain what happened. They can advise you on whether any follow-up is needed.

Is it safe for children and pets to return?

Once the area has been cleaned and disinfected and any removed materials are gone, the space can usually be used again. Until then, keep children and pets out entirely, including from hallways next to the affected room if odor or materials are present.

Where does the removed material go?

It is packaged and taken away for disposal in line with applicable Tennessee and federal requirements. Under Tennessee environmental guidance, medical waste is a special waste that generally cannot go to an ordinary landfill unless it has first been treated, which is one reason it should not go out with household trash.

Timing and scheduling questions

How soon can someone come out?

That depends on when the scene is released, where the property is and what other work is already scheduled. We confirm timing by phone for each location and do not promise a set arrival time, because distance and circumstances vary.

Can cleanup wait a few days?

It can, though contamination and odor can worsen over time, particularly in warm weather or when porous materials are involved. Keep the area closed in the meantime. If you need a few days to talk to family or your insurer, that is understandable.

What information should I have ready when I call?

The address, whether police and the medical examiner have released the property, which rooms you know are affected, roughly how long before the person was found if you know, and who will approve the work. It is fine if you don't know everything yet. Our guide to communicating with a cleanup company may help.

Choosing and contacting a company

What should I ask a cleanup company?

Ask how they assess and price work, what is included, how they handle belongings and waste, what documentation you will receive and whether repairs are separate. See questions to ask before hiring.

Can I call at night?

Yes. Our line, (615) 513-5112, is answered any time, day or night. Calling does not commit you to anything; it is a conversation about what happened and what the next step would be.

Where do you work?

Nashville 24/7 Biohazard Disposals works from a single Nashville base and travels to properties across 15 Middle Tennessee counties. Scheduling for any location is confirmed by phone, and distance can affect timing. See our service areas.

The short version for a hard week

If you remember only a few things from this page, make it these. Wait for police and the medical examiner to release the scene. Keep everyone out of the affected area and do not try to clean it yourself. Call your insurer before throwing anything away. Ask a cleanup company for a written scope and photographs. Tell them which keepsakes matter. Repairs usually come afterward, from a contractor. And take care of yourself and the people around you; the cleanup can be handed to someone else.

When you are ready, call (615) 513-5112 or read more about death scene cleanup in homes.

Questions people ask