A passing at home
Many people die at home from heart failure, a stroke, a long illness or simply old age. Sometimes a family member is there. Sometimes the person is found that morning or later the same day. Even when the death was peaceful and found soon, the body can release fluids at or after death. These can affect a bed, a recliner, a bathroom floor or the carpet where your loved one was found.
This is different from a death that went undiscovered for days, which we cover on our decomposition cleanup page. In a natural death found promptly, the cleanup is usually more contained, but it still deserves care.
When families reach out
Families usually call after the medical examiner's office or the funeral home has taken their loved one into care. Sometimes the call comes from an adult child who lives out of town, or from a neighbor or friend helping a surviving spouse. Others call when a relative is coming to stay and they want the bedroom ready, or when an estate is preparing the home for sale. We help in family homes, rental units and senior living apartments.
When a death at home is unexpected, the county medical examiner may need to be notified before your loved one is moved, and investigators may visit. That can feel intrusive at a painful moment, but it's a routine part of Tennessee law for sudden deaths. Once they've finished and the funeral home has your loved one, the home is yours again, and that's when we can help.
What we typically clean
- Beds, mattresses and box springs, including adjustable and hospital beds
- Recliners, lift chairs and sofas
- Bathroom floors, toilets, tubs and grout
- Carpet, pad and the floor beneath
- Walls, baseboards and door frames nearby
- Clothing and linens, which are either laundered or set aside for the family's decision
How we work in a family's home
We know we're entering a home that's full of someone's life. We move slowly around personal belongings, keep conversation respectful and leave things as we found them except where removal is needed. Before anything is discarded, we explain why and get your agreement.
- Listen and plan On the first call, we ask a few gentle questions about where your loved one was found and what you'd like us to look out for.
- Protect the room The area is closed off and our technicians wear protective equipment.
- Remove what's affected Soiled bedding, a mattress or a chair cushion is wrapped and taken out; flooring that absorbed fluid is cut out if needed.
- Clean and disinfect Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected with EPA-registered products, following each label.
- Freshen and return We address any remaining odor at its source and put the room back in order.
A few things that help
Please don't feel you need to clean before we arrive. If you'd like to keep a quilt, a favorite chair or clothing, tell us; we'll be honest about whether it can be cleaned. If the person was on medication, many families find it helpful to ask their pharmacist about disposal options; we don't dispose of prescription drugs.
If neighbors or relatives are asking how they can help, bringing a meal or handling phone calls is often more useful than helping with the room itself.
Who handles what
The medical examiner and funeral home take care of your loved one. We don't move or transport remains. Replacing flooring or furniture after removal is up to you or a contractor. If odor has been present for some time, our odor removal page explains how we address it.
Homeowner policies vary, and some may cover part of this cleanup while others won't. A quick call to the insurer before work begins is worthwhile.