Dealing with the Unexpected: Death Cleanup in Pennsylvania

If you’ve found our National Crime Scene Cleanup website, we know that you’re likely looking for solutions after a traumatic event or the emotionally difficult aftermath of discovering a deceased person, whether it be a loved one, co-worker, or tenant. Perhaps your insurance company, a first responder, or the Pennsylvania Victim’s Services office urged you to out the help of a biohazard cleaning company.

You’ve likely heard of crime scene cleaning, but until now you’ve had no idea how it really works… and how to start the process.

What is Biohazard Clean Up?

The media often refers to our industry as “crime scene cleaners”, and while that’s certainly accurate, it’s somewhat limiting. Biohazard clean-up is a more accurate term; we remove and sanitize body fluids and residue left behind after serious injuries, suicides, homicides, and violent assaults. We often respond to unattended deaths—those occurring outside a doctor’s supervision—in which a body has begun to decompose to the point at which odors and fluids have contaminated the home, vehicle, or other setting.

It’s unpleasant to think about, but not nearly as unpleasant as the option of taking on the task of death cleanup by yourself. Our teams are emotionally and technically prepared to clean up after death and trauma efficiently, thoroughly, and respectfully, while adhering to OSHA and our own rigorous standards.

What Do I Do Now?

The first thing you’ll want to do after first responders have removed the body is call a biohazard cleaning company and provide them with your property insurance policy information. We at National Crime Scene Cleanup will arrange payment through your agency. (If you’re renting, contact your landlord immediately to obtain their policy information.) Our toll-free phone number is 1-844-255-2461; call us any time, any hour.

If you were the victim of a crime, reach out to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for additional resources and possible funding options. The American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region may also offer assistance. This may include temporary housing, food and clothing vouchers, and referrals to post-trauma support services.

As soon as you can, rally the support of loved ones. Once you’ve arranged for a professional biohazard cleaning service, we’ll respond immediately and take over so you can look after yourself and your family.

I Still Have Questions.

Our dispatchers are very compassionate and empathetic, and are able to answer any questions you may have before, during, and after our technicians arrive to complete the biohazard cleanup project. Here are a few questions we often encounter:

Can I be present while the death cleanup is underway?

Yes, of course, but we strongly recommend you leave the immediate vicinity of the trauma scene for your emotional well-being and for your protection. Our crews will be busy cleaning or removing any contaminated materials. They wear protective clothing (PPE) for their personal safety, as there’s always the risk of infection through blood borne pathogens, which may become airborne through fine particulates. They also wear foot coverings to ensure contamination isn’t spread.

We carefully vet our technicians with background checks, and they respect you, your property, and your privacy. The deceased’s belongings are always treated with care; our technicians will defer to you as appropriate before discarding sentimental and valuable items.

Our faith requires that as much tissue as possible be buried with the body.

When firearms are involved in a death, or we’re conducting a suicide cleanup, we often encounter tissue left behind by coroners or medical examiners. Unfortunately, most remaining material (including fluids and minuscule bone, brain, and organ tissue) cannot be preserved, but we’ll contain in biohazard bags anything we can safely handle and forward the tissue to your chosen funeral home. We’ll do our very best to honor your directives.

Will you have to remove furniture or structural materials?

Anything that can’t be properly sanitized will be discarded in a roll-out garbage container (dumpster) to protect you from pervasive, offensive odors, bacteria, mold, pest infestations, and pathogens. Sometimes we need to remove drywall, plaster, carpet, tile, and sections of sub-flooring. Much of this material requires special handling and disposal; there are enormous fines if bio-hazardous material is discarded in standard transfer stations or landfills so it’s best that you leave this removal to professionals and be willing to let go of damaged furniture, flooring, and decor.

We can connect you with reputable Pennsylvania restoration contractors, or turn over your home to your chosen contractor, but either way, the premises will be sanitary and safe for you and for those who help you bring your home to pre-trauma condition.

Let Us Help You in Your Recovery

You’ve been through enough. Your emotional wellness, and that of your loved ones, comes first. Death cleanup may seem like something “to do” to get through your pain, but in our experience, we see many people become overwhelmed and traumatized by the process… especially when they’re taking on crime scene cleanups.

We can take it from here. We’ll do it quickly, and we’ll do it right so you can return to a safe and sanitary home without the sensory reminders that a terrible trauma occurred at the scene.

Please contact us ASAP if your property is the setting of an unattended death or violent trauma. National Crime Scene Cleanup is available to you 24 hours, seven days a week. We’re centered in New York, but we also tend to clients throughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey, with trusted partners nationwide.