Who Cleans Up After a Death at Home? A Guide for Illinois & Wisconsin Families
- Samantha Rouette, LCSW
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
When someone dies at home, families are often surprised to learn that no government agency handles the cleanup. After the coroner or medical examiner completes their work and the funeral home takes your loved one into their care, the responsibility for cleaning the home falls to the family or property owner.
If you're reading this because you're facing that situation right now, we're sorry you're going through this. This guide explains what happens next, who is responsible, what it may cost, and how to get help — so you can make one less difficult decision alone.
What Happens First
After a death at home in Illinois or Wisconsin, the sequence usually looks like this:
911 is called. Police or EMS respond and confirm the death.
The coroner or medical examiner is notified. In cases of unattended, unexpected, or unexplained death, the county coroner (or medical examiner in Cook County) takes jurisdiction and may investigate.
The funeral home is contacted. Once released, your loved one is transported into the funeral home's care.
Everyone leaves. This is the moment most families aren't prepared for: police, the coroner, and the funeral home do not clean the scene. The home is returned to the family as-is.
Why Professional Cleanup Matters
When a death is not discovered right away — what's often called an unattended death — natural processes begin that can affect flooring, subflooring, furniture, and air quality. Blood and bodily fluids are considered biohazards under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard because they can carry pathogens.
Household cleaning products and good intentions aren't enough. Proper remediation requires professional-grade disinfectants, personal protective equipment, containment procedures, and legal disposal of biohazardous materials. Just as important: no family member should have to carry the memory of doing this work themselves.
Who Is Responsible for the Cleanup?
In a private home:Â the family, estate, or homeowner.
In a rental property:Â typically the property owner or manager, though this varies by lease and situation.
In a vehicle:Â the vehicle's owner.
Who Pays? Insurance and Assistance
Most families are relieved to learn that homeowner's insurance often covers biohazard remediation after a death. At Great Lakes Biorecovery, we work directly with insurance carriers on your behalf — we document the scene, prepare the claim paperwork, and communicate with the adjuster so you don't have to.
If the death resulted from a crime, both states have victim compensation programs that may help with cleanup costs:
Illinois:Â the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Program, through the Attorney General's office
Wisconsin:Â the Wisconsin Crime Victim Compensation Program, through the Department of Justice
We're glad to help you understand whether your situation may qualify. See our Resources page for both programs.
What Professional Death Cleanup Includes
Removal and legal disposal of biohazardous materials
Cleaning, disinfection, and deodorization of all affected areas
Removal of non-salvageable flooring or furnishings when necessary
Verification testing to confirm the area is safe
Complete discretion — our vehicles are unmarked, and neighbors won't know why we're there
Who You're Calling Matters
Great Lakes Biorecovery is family-owned and locally operated — not a franchise, and not a call center. When you call, you speak directly with Sam or Ron, the owners.
Sam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Ron is an IICRC-Certified Trauma Cleanup Specialist with more than a decade of restoration experience. We call this the LCSW Difference: from the first phone call, you're speaking with someone trained to support people through the worst days of their lives — not just to clean a scene, but to care for the people in it.
IICRC Certified Firm #70248813
OSHA compliant
Fully licensed and insured
Available 24/7, with a typical response of 2–4 hours
Our Process
Call anytime, day or night. Sam or Ron answers, explains what happens next, and schedules the response.
Assessment. We evaluate the affected areas and document everything for insurance.
Remediation. Full cleaning, disinfection, and deodorization following IICRC and OSHA standards.
Final verification. We confirm the home is safe before we leave.
We Serve Northern Illinois & Southeast Wisconsin
Including Lake, McHenry, and Cook Counties in Illinois and Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, and Waukesha Counties in Wisconsin. See all our service areas, or learn more about death cleanup, suicide and trauma cleanup, and biohazard cleanup.
You Don't Have to Handle This Alone
If a death has occurred in your home or property, call us. We'll answer your questions with no pressure and no obligation — even if you just need to understand what happens next.
📞 (847) 861-7442 — available 24/7
Dignified. Discreet. Done Right.
