What Is After Death Cleaning?
After death cleaning is the safe disinfection of a property following a death. It covers the cleaning and removal of blood and bodily fluids, the disposal of biohazard waste, and full odour removal. The goal is to restore the home to a safe, clean state for family, landlords or buyers.
Many people are surprised to learn this is not done by emergency services. After a death, the clean up is the responsibility of the family, the landlord or the estate. It is rarely something you should face alone, and it should never be tackled without the right training and protection.
Our after death cleaning service includes:
- Disinfection of blood, faeces, urine and decomposition fluids
- Removal and licensed disposal of all biohazard waste
- Unattended and undiscovered death cleans
- Trauma and suicide cleaning
- Odour removal with fogging and ozone treatment
Emergency Clean UK is a licensed waste carrier (CBDU626436). We are a registered UK company (No. 17032976) and fully insured. Our teams cover the whole UK and work around the clock with discretion and respect.
The Dangers Of Cleaning An Unattended Death
When someone passes away, the body releases fluids such as blood, urine and faeces. These soak into floors, carpets and furniture, and they carry serious health risks. If a death goes undiscovered for days or longer, the property can become heavily contaminated. This is not a job for household cleaning products.
Health Risks
Direct contact with bodily fluids can expose you to bloodborne pathogens. These can survive on surfaces for days. They include:
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
- HIV
- Bacteria, fungi and viruses in soft furnishings
- Toxic gases and odours that cause nausea, headaches and breathing problems
Why You Should Not DIY
Cleaning a death scene without training puts your health at risk and rarely makes the property truly safe.
- Household products do not kill all pathogens
- Fluids spread further than they look, under floors and skirting
- Biohazard waste cannot go in a household bin
- Without the right PPE, you risk infection and lasting distress
Our After Death Cleaning Process
From your first call to a clean, safe home, we handle everything with care. Here is what happens at each stage.
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1
Free Confidential Quote
Call us day or night. We talk through the situation gently and give a free quote over the phone. For urgent jobs, we can be onsite within 2 hours.
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2
Clean & Decontaminate
Our team seals off the affected area, then cleans and disinfects every surface. We remove blood, fluids and contaminated materials, treating hidden contamination you cannot see.
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3
Remove Waste & Odour
As a licensed waste carrier (CBDU626436), we remove and dispose of all biohazard waste legally. We then treat the air with fogging and ozone to remove lingering odours.
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4
Sign-Off & Documentation
We confirm the property is safe to re-enter and provide written proof of the work, with before-and-after photos on request.
Paperwork For Insurers, Landlords & Estates
We provide invoices, waste transfer notes, completion certificates and handover photos. These support home insurance claims and give landlords, executors and estate agents written proof the property has been professionally decontaminated.
How Much Does After Death Cleaning Cost?
Most after death cleans cost between £500 and £2,500, excluding VAT. In rare, severe cases the cost can be higher. The price depends on the size of the area, how long the property was left, and the volume of biohazard waste we remove. Every job is quoted in full before any work begins.
| Type of clean | Typical price | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Single room, recent death | £500 – £800 | One affected room, limited fluids and waste |
| Unattended / undiscovered death | £800 – £1,600 | Spread of contamination and time left undiscovered |
| Heavy contamination + odour | £1,200 – £2,500 | Multiple rooms, flooring removal, full odour treatment |
| Severe, long-term decomposition | £1,800 – £4,900 | Fluids in subfloors and void spaces; floors and ceilings stripped out |
Prices are a guide and exclude VAT. Every job is quoted before work starts. Many cleans are covered by home insurance.
In rare cases, fluids soak deep into the subfloor and void spaces. This happens when a death has gone undiscovered for a long time. The job then means stripping out floors and taking down ceilings, which is why these cleans cost more.
What Affects The Price?
- The size of the affected area and number of rooms
- How long the property was left before discovery
- The volume of biohazard waste to remove and dispose of
- Whether flooring or furniture needs removing and odour treatment
Our Specialist Death Cleaning Services
After death cleaning covers several closely related situations. Whatever you are facing, our trained teams handle it with care, discretion and respect.
Undiscovered & Unattended Death Cleaning
Biohazard cleaning and disinfection of areas affected by bodily fluids following an unattended or undiscovered death.
Trauma Cleaning Service
Understanding, compassionate cleaning following a traumatic incident, restoring the property to a safe state.
Suicide Cleaning Service
Compassionate biohazard cleaning following a suicide, carried out sensitively to restore a safe environment.
Blood Clean Up Service
Blood and bodily fluid clean up following a trauma, accident or crime scene, to restore a safe environment.
Read more →Bereavement Cleaning Service
Professional disinfection, deep cleaning and waste clearance of a loved one's property, handled with respect.
Biohazard Cleaning Service
Thorough disinfection and decontamination of areas affected by biological substances and hazardous waste.
Read more →We also handle related cleans, including Human Waste Cleaning, Hoarders Clean Up and Sewage Cleaning. Not sure which you need? Call 0333 772 2130 and we will talk it through, in confidence.
Why Choose Emergency Clean UK For After Death Cleaning?
Emergency Clean UK was founded in 2018. We now attend more than 2,000 homes and businesses every year, many of them sensitive after death and bereavement cleans. Every technician is trained, insured and used to working with care at the hardest of times.
Kind & Compassionate
Our work happens at the hardest times in people's lives. We always lead with empathy and patience.
Discreet & Sensitive
Unmarked vehicles on request and no fuss. A quiet, professional service your neighbours won't notice.
Rapid Response
Open 24/7, 365 days a year. We aim to be onsite within 2 hours, anywhere in the UK.
Licensed & Insured
Licensed waste carrier (CBDU626436), fully insured, with full paperwork for insurers and landlords.
Accreditations & Training
Want the full story? Read more about Emergency Clean UK.
After Death Cleaning FAQs
Who is responsible for cleaning after a death?
It is a common misconception that emergency services handle this. After a death, the clean up is the responsibility of the family, the landlord or the estate. You do not have to do it yourself — a professional biohazard team can take care of it for you.
Do you offer after death cleaning near me?
Yes. Emergency Clean UK operates across the whole of the UK, with teams based around the country. Wherever you are, we aim to be onsite within 2 hours. Many towns and counties also have their own local page.
How much does after death cleaning cost?
Most after death cleans cost between £500 and £2,500, excluding VAT. In rare, severe cases where fluids have soaked into floors and void spaces, the cost can reach £4,900. The price depends on the size of the area, how long the property was left and the volume of biohazard waste to remove. We quote for free over the phone. Many cleans are covered by home insurance.
Is it safe to enter the property?
If a death has gone undiscovered, do not enter without protection. Bodily fluids can carry bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis and HIV, and decomposition releases toxic gases. Our technicians carry all the necessary PPE to make the property safe again.
Can you remove the odour after an unattended death?
Yes. Strong odours often mean carpets, flooring or furniture must be removed. We then treat the air using fogging and ozone machines to neutralise the smell. Household products alone cannot remove a decomposition odour, which is why professional equipment is needed.
Is ULV fogging and ozone treatment safe?
Yes, both are safe when used correctly. Stay out of the room during ozone treatment, as it can irritate the lungs and airways, and for two hours after fogging. Once the area is ventilated with good airflow, it is safe to re-enter.
Do you provide paperwork for insurers and landlords?
Yes. We provide invoices, waste transfer notes, completion certificates and before-and-after photos on request. These support home insurance claims and give landlords, executors and estate agents written proof the property has been professionally decontaminated.
Can I call at any time?
Yes. Our teams operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0333 772 2130 at any time, or our emergency mobile on 07761 149087, and you will speak to a real person.
After Death Cleaning Across The UK
We provide after death cleaning across all of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our teams are based around the country, so help is never far away. Wherever you are, we aim to be onsite within 2 hours. Towns and counties with a local page are linked below.
North West
- Cheshire
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- Worcestershire
North East
- County Durham
- Northumberland
- Tyne and Wear
East Midlands
- Derbyshire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
South East
- Berkshire
- Buckinghamshire
- East Sussex
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Oxfordshire
- Surrey
- West Sussex
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
East of England
- Bedfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
We also cover all of London and every borough, plus Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. See the full list on our areas we cover page.
Related Articles
In this article we go into to detail about the dangers that you might face when discovering an unattended death. Such as the physical hazards, the emotional and physical toll and also the importance of a professional clean.
In this article, we explain the proper methods on how to dispose of bio-hazardous waste. Mentioning the proper licensing you may need, where you should go to dispose of the waste and why you should never dispose of bio-hazardous waste incorrectly.
Here To Help, Day Or Night
Speak to a real person, in confidence, at any time. Free quotes over the phone. Discreet, compassionate teams, onsite within 2 hours.
Emergency mobile: 07761 149087 · Email: info@emergencycleanuk.co.uk