Unattended death & after-death cleaning
When someone has died at home and is found only later, the property needs specialist decontamination. We handle that with care, and we deal with the parts you should not have to.
An unattended death is one of the hardest situations we are called to, and often the person contacting us is a relative, a landlord or a neighbour who has just had the worst kind of shock. Decomposition is a biohazard as well as a distressing sight, and the fluids and odour it leaves need proper handling. We take that burden off you.
We work across Rochdale and Greater Manchester at any hour, quietly and respectfully.
What after-death cleaning involves
When a death goes undiscovered for a time, fluids from decomposition soak through soft furnishings, carpet and floorboards, and in older houses they can reach the ceiling of the room below. There is also an odour that ordinary cleaning will never shift, because the source has penetrated the fabric of the room. We remove and treat what is affected, decontaminate the area and deal with the smell at its source rather than masking it.
Handled with care and discretion
We treat every property as someone’s home and every family with respect. If there are personal effects, documents or items of value in the affected area, we look for them, set them aside safely and return them to you. We arrive discreetly and we are mindful of neighbours and of anyone else in the building.
You do not have to be there while we work, and you do not have to see any of it. Many families would rather we simply handled it, and that is completely understood.
Insurance, estates and the practical side
This work is frequently covered by the property’s buildings insurance, and we can provide a written report and itemised costs for a claim or deal with the insurer directly. Where a landlord, a housing association or an executor is involved, we can liaise with them so the practical arrangements do not fall on the family. All biohazard waste leaves through a licensed clinical-waste carrier with the correct documentation.
How we handle it
Four steps, from your first call to a property that is safe to use again.
- 01
A calm first contact
Request a callback whenever you need to. We will be gentle, ask only what matters and arrange to attend.
- 02
Assessment and price
We attend discreetly, assess what is affected and give a written price before any work begins. The assessment is free.
- 03
Decontamination and odour treatment
We remove and treat affected material, decontaminate the room and deal with the odour at its source, in full protective equipment.
- 04
Handover and support
We return any belongings we have recovered, complete the waste paperwork and can liaise with the landlord or insurer for you.
Unattended death: your questions
If your question is not here, request a callback and we will talk it through, calmly.
Request a callbackWhat is the difference between unattended death and after-death cleaning?
They describe the same work. It is the specialist decontamination of a property after a death, particularly where someone has not been found straight away and there is biohazard contamination and odour to deal with.
Do we have to be there while you work?
No. Many families would rather not be, and that is entirely understandable. We can collect a key, keep you updated and hand back once the property is safe.
Who usually pays for it?
It is often covered by the property’s buildings insurance. We can support a claim with a written report and costs, or deal with the insurer, landlord or executor directly so the arrangements do not fall to the family.
Other things we help with
Talk to someone who has handled this before
Whatever has happened, a calm, trained team is ready to help, day or night. Request a callback and we will explain what we can do and what it is likely to cost, with no pressure.