Discovering that a loved one has passed away alone is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face. In the shock and grief of that moment, it’s impossible to know what steps to take next — especially when the scene itself may be unsafe.
This guide is written for families who are living through exactly that moment. We’ll walk you through what to do, what to avoid, and how to protect your family’s health and wellbeing in the hours and days ahead.
Step 1: Do Not Enter the Room or Touch Anything
If you discover or suspect an unattended death — meaning a person has passed away and the body was not found immediately — the scene may be biologically hazardous. Decomposition begins quickly and releases pathogens that are dangerous to anyone nearby.
Until trained professionals have assessed and cleared the area:
- Do not enter the room where the death occurred
- Do not open windows thinking it will help — disturbing the space can spread contamination
- Do not attempt to clean anything yourself
- Keep pets and children out of the space entirely
Step 2: Call 911
Even if you believe your loved one has been deceased for some time, law enforcement and emergency services must be notified. This is required by law in most jurisdictions and is necessary to:
- Officially document the death
- Determine whether a medical examiner or coroner must respond
- Establish a record that may be needed for insurance and estate purposes
Officers will assess the scene and determine whether a death investigation is required. In most natural or unattended deaths, this process moves relatively quickly.
Step 3: Contact the Medical Examiner or Coroner’s Office
Depending on your state, jurisdiction, and the circumstances of the death, the medical examiner or coroner may take custody of the body. They will release the scene to you once their work is complete. Do not assume the scene is safe simply because authorities have left — their work addresses the investigation, not the biohazard.
Who handles this in your state:
Illinois: Each county has its own coroner. Contact your county coroner’s office or ask the responding officers.
Michigan: County medical examiners handle unattended and unexpected deaths. Officers on scene will coordinate.
Tennessee: The county medical examiner or coroner responds based on jurisdiction. Officers will assist with notification.
Step 4: Call a Certified Trauma Cleanup Company
Once authorities have released the scene, do not attempt cleanup yourself. Unattended death scenes involve biological materials — blood, bodily fluids, and decomposition matter — that require specialized protective equipment, industrial-grade disinfectants, and licensed disposal methods.
Attempting to clean the scene without proper training and equipment puts your health at serious risk and may not fully remediate the space. Biohazard materials can permeate flooring, subfloor, drywall, and insulation.
A certified remediation team will:
- Assess the full extent of contamination, including hidden areas
- Remove all biohazardous materials and treat affected surfaces
- Neutralize odors completely using professional-grade equipment
- Dispose of all waste in compliance with state and federal regulations
- Return the space to a safe, livable condition
Midwest Trauma Cleanup responds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Illinois, Michigan, and Tennessee. We can typically be on-site within 35 minutes of your call.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Provider
Before any cleanup begins, contact your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider. Most standard policies include coverage for biohazard remediation. Opening a claim early ensures that costs are documented and submitted correctly.
Let the cleanup company know you’re filing an insurance claim — a reputable team will work directly with your adjuster and provide all necessary documentation.
Step 6: Reach Out for Emotional Support
The logistics of managing an unattended death scene can make it easy to postpone processing the grief underneath. Please don’t. The trauma of this experience is real, and you deserve support.
Resources available to you:
- Illinois: IDHS Crisis Line — 1-800-345-9049
- Michigan: Community Mental Health Crisis Line — 1-800-648-6020
- Tennessee: Tennessee Crisis Services — 1-855-274-7471
- National: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
At Midwest Trauma Cleanup, we’ve walked alongside hundreds of families in exactly this situation. We move quickly, we treat every family with complete dignity and discretion, and we handle the details so you can focus on each other.
Call us anytime. We’re here.
(888) 629-1222 — 24/7 Emergency Response