Suicide cleanup for families

After a suicide in the home, families should never have to clean up themselves. Suicide cleanup is done by trained biohazard technicians who work quietly and respectfully, remove everything that cannot be safely cleaned, disinfect the area and return the home to a safe condition.

Good companies explain each step, work with your insurer where possible, and can set aside personal items and keepsakes for you. They arrive in unmarked vehicles if you ask.

When you need suicide cleanup

• After police and the medical examiner have released the home
• When blood or bodily fluids have soaked into flooring or furniture
• When family members want the area restored before they return
• When a landlord or property manager needs the unit made safe

What the job involves

1. Talk with the family about what will happen and what to keep.
2. Set up containment and protective equipment.
3. Remove contaminated materials such as carpet, pad and drywall.
4. Clean, disinfect and deodorize the area.
5. Dispose of regulated waste and check that the area is safe.

What affects the cost

Sifixit does not quote prices, because every job is different. These are the things that move the price up or down, so you can compare quotes fairly:

• How much area is affected and how long before cleanup
• Materials that must be removed and replaced
• Odor treatment
• Regulated waste disposal
• Repairs after cleanup

Insurance

Many homeowners policies help with cleanup after a suicide in the home. Ask the cleanup company whether it can work with your insurer directly, so the family does not have to handle the details.

Licensing by state

Rules differ a lot between states. Here is who licenses this work in the states Sifixit covers most. Always ask for the license number and check it with the state.

• Most states do not license biohazard cleanup companies, so ask about bloodborne pathogen training, insurance and references.
• California requires trauma scene waste management practitioners to register with the state.
• Florida regulates biomedical waste handling through the Department of Health.

If you are struggling, you are not alone. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available any time in the United States. Read our guide: what happens after a death at home.

Local help for suicide cleanup

• Biohazard cleanup in Atlanta, GA
• Biohazard cleanup in Dallas, TX
• Biohazard cleanup in Denver, CO
• Biohazard cleanup in Houston, TX
• Biohazard cleanup in Los Angeles, CA
• Biohazard cleanup in Philadelphia, PA

Quick answers: suicide cleanup

Looking for suicide cleanup? Call the number on this page to be connected with an independent local provider. For more background, see OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens guidance.

This site is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service contractors. All contractors are independent and this site does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on this site.