Finding an unattended death can be overwhelming, shocking, or even traumatic. Not only will you need to recover emotionally and psychologically, but also have the remains cleaned up. We answer what is an unattended death and explain what to do if you discover one.
What Is an Unattended Death?
An unattended death is when a person dies alone and is not immediately found. In many cases, the body has started to decompose. Finding someone that died alone is always overwhelming. However, the scene is more gruesome after days or even weeks.
What Are the Causes of an Unattended Death?
While older adults or very sick people are most likely to pass away alone, unattended deaths include accidents, suicide, overdose, and homicides.
- Age – Older adults that pass away alone at home are a significant cause of unattended deaths.
- Illness – After age, sickness is the next most common cause. Although some people may not know they are sick, even those receiving regular treatment may pass away at home alone.
- Accidents – Another common cause, accidents include any sudden and unpredictable death not specifically related to the person’s health.
- Suicide – While not every suicide is an unattended death, it is more common among people who live alone.
- Overdose – Individuals who use drugs, especially intravenous drugs, often do so alone or with other drug users.
- Homicide – Although not unattended, murders and violent crimes often go undiscovered.
Are Unexpected Deaths and Unintended Deaths the Same Thing?
The phrases unexpected death and unintended death are often mistakenly used to explain an unattended death. However, they are not the same. Although the words unattended, unexpected, and unintended all sound similar, they are all different.
As explained above, an unattended death is when someone dies alone and is not found immediately. An unexpected death is when someone passes away suddenly or without warning. The best example of an unexpected death is a sudden heart attack. An unintended death is a legal term associated with an involuntary manslaughter case.
That said, unintended or unexpected deaths can be unattended as well. Also, not all unattended deaths are unexpected.
What to Do After Finding an Unattended Death?
1. Contact the Authorities
Always contact the authorities after finding a body. Discovering an unattended death can be traumatic, so take a moment to compose yourself. Briefly explain the situation and your relation to the deceased. Wait outside until the authorities arrive. In most cases, they will ask you a few questions.
2. Have the Body Removed
In most cases, the authorities will transfer the body to the medical examiner or coroner for an autopsy. While less common, they may release the body immediately. If you are directly related to the deceased, you may need to arrange for the body to be collected. Funeral homes work with medical examiners or coroners and can make arrangements on your behalf. Property managers and landlords should contact the deceased’s emergency contact or next of kin and allow them to make arrangements.
3. Notify Family and Friends
Every family has their own way of grieving for a loved one, so choose to inform family and friends when and how is best for you. They can also be a support system for you during this stressful and traumatic time.
4. Hire Biohazard Cleaners
You should never try to clean up after an unattended death yourself. Even if the scene looks clean, bloodborne pathogens or diseases always pose a potential health risk. The most common health concerns are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, enteric intestinal pathogens, tuberculosis, and cholera. Additionally, you must dispose of blood, bodily fluids, human remains, and contaminated materials properly. For this reason, you should always hire a biohazard cleanup company.
5. Seek Counseling
Everyone handles stress and trauma differently, but counseling can help you cope after an unattended death. For landlords and property managers, discovering the scene is stressful. In addition to stress, family and friends often have strong emotional reactions. If you cannot let go of the experience, a counselor can help you move on.
Finding an unattended death is often traumatic or even frightening. Our compassionate biohazard restoration specialists are sensitive to your needs and will help clean up the scene. Your privacy is important to us, and we strive to be as discreet as possible throughout decontamination and restoration. Call 888-790-7879 now for a free estimate on unattended death cleanup services.
