What to Do After a Death at Home

Call emergency or medical authorities first

If the death has just been discovered, call the appropriate emergency, medical, or local authority before arranging cleanup. Cleanup should not begin until the scene is released and it is clear who is responsible for the property.

• Do not move affected materials unless there is an immediate safety issue
• Keep family, tenants, visitors, and pets away from the room
• Wait for police, medical examiner, or emergency personnel to release the scene
• Write down the property contact and access details for the cleanup call

Avoid cleaning the affected area yourself

Even if the room appears manageable, blood, fluids, odor, and biological residue can move into porous surfaces, flooring, seams, and surrounding materials. Normal household cleaning can miss what matters most.

Make one practical cleanup call

When calling for cleanup, explain where the property is, what type of property it is, whether emergency personnel have left, and whether odor, fluids, flooring, furniture, or contents are involved.