Wait for release
The police or medical examiner must release the scene before cleanup can begin.
Property needs cleanup after an unattended death?
When a death goes undiscovered, decomposition contaminates floors, subfloors and air. Specialized cleanup and odor removal are needed. We are sorry for your loss. Call 833-877-1717 when you are ready. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent provider does the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes after the medical examiner or police have released the property.
Is this urgent?After release, prompt cleanup limits damage and odor.
What do I do next?Call 833-877-1717 when ready.
Odor afterward: specialized deodorization is usually included.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 14, 2026 · Review standards
What to do now
Keep people out
Close off the area and keep family, children and pets out. Do not try to clean it yourself.
Do not mask the odor
Air fresheners and fans do not solve the problem and can spread odor. Leave windows and doors closed until the provider arrives.
Health and safety
Blood and bodily fluids can carry infectious disease. Do not clean them yourself without training and protective equipment. If police or a medical examiner are involved, wait until they release the scene.
Common situations
Decomposition contamination
Fluids soak into flooring, subfloor and sometimes framing below.
Strong odor
Odor spreads through the property and into belongings and needs specialized treatment.
Pests
Insects may be present and are removed as part of cleanup.
Rental and multifamily properties
Landlords and managers may need cleanup before units can be re-rented. Odor can affect neighboring units.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code and whether it is a home, rental or business
- Whether the scene has been released
- Roughly how long before the death was discovered, if known
- Which rooms are affected
- Who can authorize the work
How unattended death cleanup usually works
- Assessment. Technicians determine how far contamination spread, including below flooring.
- Removal. Contaminated materials, sometimes including subfloor, are removed and packaged.
- Disinfection. Remaining surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
- Odor treatment. Specialized treatments remove odor, which can take more than one step.
We are sorry for your loss. Providers can work with family members on personal belongings and keep the work discreet.
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles specialized biohazard cleanup in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Property needs cleanup after an unattended death questions
Who pays for this cleanup?
It varies. Some property insurance policies cover it. Every state has a crime victim compensation program that may help with crime scene cleanup costs. Ask your insurer and local victim services.
Will the provider be discreet?
Many specialized cleanup providers use unmarked vehicles and work quietly and respectfully. Ask about privacy when you call.
How long does this cleanup take?
Often one to several days, depending on how long the death went undiscovered and how far contamination spread.
Is support available?
If you or someone else is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S.). For immediate danger, call 911. Local victim services and grief counselors can also help.
Can I call at night or on a weekend?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.