Finding out a loved one died by suicide is devastating. After calling emergency services so first responders and the coroner can document the scene, preserve evidence promptly: don’t touch or move items or clean. Allow investigators to finish and follow their instructions.
Keep people and pets away from the area. Bodily fluids and odors are potential biohazards; avoid exposure. Reach out to a friend, family, clergy, or crisis lines. Notify necessary parties: close relatives, the deceased’s physician, employer or school, landlord, and insurers. Document names, dates, times, and officials you speak with.
Do not attempt cleanup. Blood and fluids require certified biohazard remediation. 360 Hazardous provides trained technicians, proper PPE, containment, disinfection, and safe disposal, plus coordination with insurers and property managers. A remediation team can advise what’s salvageable and how to store items.
Keep paperwork—death certificate, coroner and police reports—and provide copies to insurers and remediation professionals. Understand insurance coverage before discarding items or signing agreements. Prepare for possible temporary housing during remediation and get an itemized estimate from contractors.
In the weeks ahead, seek grief counseling and legal advice as needed. Ask your remediation provider for a certificate of cleaning if you plan to sell or reoccupy. Above all, prioritize safety, evidence preservation, compassionate support, and resources.
