Dealing with loss is incredibly overwhelming and can be even more difficult if that death occurs in the home. There are many other important things to focus on when a loved one dies like planning a funeral and handling personal affairs. The last thing you’ll want to do is have to clean up the space in your home where the death occurred. It’s important to take care of yourself while handling the aftermath of a death, especially if your loved one dies at home. Bringing in a professional cleaning company to handle the aftermath of a death can help you to focus on the important things while someone else restores your home.
What to do immediately after someone dies at home
If someone passes away at a hospital, the doctors take care of the legal pronouncement of death. When the death occurs at home, the burden of ensuring that pronouncement is made falls on those at home. Another step to take right away is to notify close friends and family. This step is very important and there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Some people choose to make an initial call so the rest of the family calls others or split the burden.
The next step to take immediately is decide where you’d like your loved one’s body to be transported. Whether to a hospital for organ donation, a funeral home or a cremation company, this is a timely decision. Within 24-72 hours, the internal organs begin to decompose. This makes it so some of these steps are time-sensitive and should be followed with a sense of urgency.
Other important steps to think about after a death
Often grief can muddle the brain and other important steps to think about are lost in transit. Here are a few other vital steps to handle after someone passes away.
- If there are any children or pets that depended on the one that just passed away, their care should be quickly transferred to a loved one.
- Locking up major property like homes and vehicles can help ensure they stay safe. It might also be good to notify neighbors in case the home is vacant for a while so they can keep an eye on the property. If the person lived alone, you should also take the steps to forward mail to a family member.
- If your loved one was actively working or volunteering, make sure to contact their employers. They can also be helpful in assisting with benefits, life insurance and any pay that was owed.
Thoroughly cleaning the home is crucial
The process of decomposition is extremely unpleasant and rapid in onset. After a body has been removed, the area should be decontaminated and thoroughly cleaned. A lot of people are surprised to learn the cleaning is the responsibility of the deceased’s family and/or property owner. At Xtreme Cleaners, we are experts in cleaning quickly, discreetly and thoroughly after a death. Our technicians clean, decontaminate, remove and properly dispose of all potentially infectious materials restoring the area to its original condition. If you or someone you know needs help cleaning after someone one dies at home in Louisiana, call us at (800) 524-9591.
