PROFESSIONAL DECOMPOSITION AND PROLONGED DEATH SCENES CLEANUP AND THEIR ASSOCIATED ODORS IN UTAH

Walking into the scene of an unattended death can be upsetting, overwhelming, and heartbreaking. There are so many emotions that will come at you so quickly. It is a surreal experience that stays with you for a long time.

 

Once the officials have left and the body has been removed, you are left with the insurmountable task of cleanup.

 

You may be left wondering how you can possibly clean the area, disinfect it, and completely remove the odor.

 

A decomposition cleanup is one of the most difficult that we do. At Steri-Clean Utah our technicians have been trained in cleaning decomposition scenes. We have the equipment and products necessary to completely clean and deodorize the area.

We will take care of it all, so you don’t have to.

 

The “Unattended Death”

 

When a person passes away while they are alone, and the body is not discovered right away it is called an “unattended death.” It could be days, weeks, or months before someone finds the person and by that time decomposition has already set in.

 

There are a number of reasons why this situation may occur. A person who does not have family or friends living near by could pass away alone and not be discovered for a long time. They may live alone and not have anyone who can check on them regularly.

 

Suicides are sometimes unattended deaths because the person seeks out isolation.

As the body decomposes, fluids leak out and can damage the floor, sub floor, and even the walls as well as furniture. However, even if you can clean the area and it looks like new, the smell often lingers. It can be very difficult to manage.

 

A decomposition scene is very, very difficult to clean, sanitize, disinfect, and deodorize.

 

This can also make it difficult to sell a home or other property. A landlord will have a tough time renting it out. Fresh paint and scrubbing won’t get the smell out. It takes professional technicians who are trained and experienced in decomposition cleanup. At Steri-Clean our techs are some of the best in the business.

 

Professional Decomposition Cleanup for an Unattended Death in Utah

 

There are a number of factors that affect the way a body decomposes and the rate at which it breaks down. The temperature of the environment plays a huge part in decomposition, as does the cause of death or trauma to the body. Where the body is, whether it is indoors, or outdoors is also important.

 

Each decomposition cleanup should be approached without bias and assessed individually. That is what a good cleanup company does. At Steri-Clean Utah, we have procedures and processes in place, but still assess each scene on a case by case basis.

 

Some scenes will need more work than others when it comes to cleaning, while some scenes will need more work deodorizing. We have the flexibility to do what it takes to get the job done right.

 

The level of decomposition determines how the space is leaned. If the body is badly decomposed, fluids leak out and seep into wood floors, the spaces between tiles, baseboards, sheetrock, and other porous surfaces. All of these must be addressed.

 

A body that is not as badly decomposed will, of course, not require as much work.

 

That is why when we arrive on a scene where there has been an unattended death, the first thing we do is assess the area and note what needs to be done. From there, we can create a plan for cleaning, deodorizing, and sanitizing the area.

 

Why Choose Steri-Clean Utah?

 

A decomposition cleanup is very difficult to clean and requires highly specialized training, equipment, and products. The cleaners you use in your home are not formulated to address the unique demands that a decomposed body presents.

 

We do decomposition cleanup for unattended deaths. We also understand that sometimes a large dog or other animal could present the same type of situation. We can address that as well.

 

We can clean your home, vehicle, outdoor area, wherever you need us, we’ll be there.

 

When you call us, we will arrive in an unmarked vehicle. We will proceed very discreetly and professionally, working with the homeowner to address the issue and answer any questions. Often homeowner’s insurance will take care of this type of cleanup, and we will work directly with them to make sure it is all done properly.

 

In some cases, depending on the details of the death, other organizations may also assist in paying for the cleanup. We can discuss those options with the homeowner as they arise.

 

Dealing with the Emotional Effects of an Unattended Death

 

When you walk onto the scene of an unattended death and find a decomposing body, it can be a startling, upsetting experience. You may be in shock, disgust, horror, sadness, and even guilt in some cases.

 

This is all normal.

 

If you find that the experience continues to trouble you or if you are having trouble sleeping or eating, you should seek professional counseling. A good counselor can help you work through your emotions and get a better handle on the event and how you can live with the memory and have peace.

 

At Steri-Clean we do our best to give you peace of mind in a difficult time. Give us a call and talk to one of our expert representatives and find out how we can help you clean up your area and get the peace of mind you deserve.

​

We’re ready to talk 24/7, 1-888-577-7206.