Bodily fluids are biohazardous
They can carry pathogens and require proper containment, protective equipment, and disinfection.
Des Moines metro • Compassionate 24/7 response
Unattended Death Cleanup in Des Moines, Iowa
When someone passes alone and isn't found for days, the aftermath needs professionals. We handle it with care — so you don't have to.
- Upfront written estimate
- Insurance documentation
- Discreet service
- Certified & trained technicians
Serving the Des Moines metro — from downtown and the East Village to West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Urbandale — across Polk County and along the I-235 corridor. When you call, you reach someone who knows the metro.
What this involves
A complete response, explained gently.
When a death goes undiscovered, decomposition can affect the immediate area. Fluids, odor, and contamination may reach surfaces and materials that ordinary household cleaning cannot safely address.
Our technicians identify what is affected, remove materials that cannot be restored, apply hospital-grade disinfectants, and treat odor at the molecular level rather than simply masking it. Porous materials such as carpet, subfloor, or drywall may need to be removed when contamination has penetrated them.
We work quietly, explain each decision, and document the cleanup from assessment through clearance.
You don't need to understand the science. You just need to know it's handled — completely.
Why professional remediation matters
This is beyond ordinary cleaning
The visible area is not always the full extent of contamination. Proper remediation protects the property, the people who will enter it next, and the records connected to the work.
Odor travels beyond the surface
Without proper treatment, odor can penetrate drywall, subfloor, furnishings, and HVAC pathways.
Clearance protects the property
Incomplete cleanup can leave a home unsafe, legally uninhabitable, or difficult to sell or rent.
Documentation matters
For landlords and families, a clear record protects insurance claims and future occupants.
A calm, controlled process
What happens after you call
We keep the work clear and obtain your approval before remediation begins.
24/7 call & rapid dispatch
A real person listens, gathers the essential details, and sends a crew.
Assessment & written estimate
You receive an itemized scope and approve it before any work starts.
Remediation
We remove affected materials, disinfect with hospital-grade products, and treat odor.
Severe cases may require removing flooring or drywall. The home may need to remain closed for about 48 hours after chemical treatment.
Clearance & documentation
We complete the final review and prepare a documentation pack for your insurance claim.
What to do right now
What happens in the first 24 hours
Discovering an unattended death is overwhelming. Here's what to do — and what not to do — step by step:
- The first hour: don't touch anything. Keep people and pets out of the area. Call police — an unattended death must be reported, and the scene needs to be officially released before any cleanup can begin.
- Hours 1–4: authorities take the lead. Police and the medical examiner will investigate. There's nothing for you to do during this time except wait. Call us any time; we answer 24/7 and can explain what happens next.
- Hours 4–12: assessment and estimate. Once the scene is released, we assess what was affected and give you a written, itemized estimate. You approve it before anything starts — no surprises.
- Hours 12–24: remediation begins. Removal of affected materials, hospital-grade disinfection, and odor treatment get underway. You don't need to be present; we document every step for your records and insurance claim.
Clear before work begins
What does it cost?
Typical industry ranges run $2,500–$7,000, and advanced decomposition can exceed $15,000. Every situation differs — the time the death went undiscovered is the biggest factor. We provide a free, written, itemized estimate before work starts, and most insurance policies cover professional cleanup.
Get my free estimateA written scope first. A complete explanation. No work begins until you approve it.
For landlords & property managers
Protect the property, the claim, and future tenants
An unattended death can raise questions about stigma, disclosure obligations, habitability, and insurance. A professional remediation firm provides more than cleaning: it creates a clear record of what was affected, what was removed, how the space was disinfected, and when it was cleared.
That documentation helps you communicate with insurers and future occupants while avoiding the legal and safety exposure that can come with using a general cleaning crew for biohazard work.
Disclosure and future tenants. When the unit is ready to rent again, you'll want straight answers about what happened there. Documented professional remediation gives you exactly that: a clear record of what was affected, what was removed, and when the space was cleared — so you can answer questions honestly and lease with confidence.
You don't need to be on-site. Many landlords and managers hand us the keys and receive photo documentation plus a written clearance summary when the work is done. We coordinate access around your schedule and keep the process discreet — no marked vehicles drawing attention to the property.
- Itemized written scope
- Remediation records
- Insurance documentation
- Discreet coordination
- Key handoff & remote updates
Des Moines metro
Unattended death cleanup across the metro
Available day or night throughout Des Moines, Polk County, and nearby communities.
Straight answers
Questions you may have right now
If your situation is not listed, call us. You do not need to know the right terminology.
Call (515) 555-0147What is unattended death cleanup?
Professional remediation after a death goes undiscovered: removal of affected materials, disinfection, and odor treatment.
How long does it take?
From one day to over a week, depending on how long the death was undiscovered and the extent of contamination.
Can the smell really be removed?
Yes, with proper treatment rather than masking. Severe cases may require removing porous materials such as carpet, subfloor, or drywall.
Will my insurance cover it?
Usually, yes. We document everything your adjuster needs for the claim.
Do I need to be there?
No. Many families prefer to hand us the keys and return when the home is restored.
What does it cost?
Typical industry ranges run $2,500–$7,000, and advanced decomposition can exceed $15,000. It varies with severity — we provide a free, written, itemized estimate before any work starts.
Is it discreet?
Yes — unmarked vehicles, plain uniforms, and no photography without your written consent.
Let us carry this part for you.
One call — we take it from here, with care, anywhere in the Des Moines metro.