After an unattended death, belongings in the home may be affected by odor, fluids or insects. Families are often unsure what can be saved, what's safe to handle, and how to make decisions while grieving. This guide offers practical guidance.
Take your time with decisions
Unless the property must be cleared quickly, you don't have to decide about everything at once. Many families ask the cleanup company to recover specific items first, then pack and store remaining belongings until they're ready. Grief makes decisions harder; it's okay to pause.
Don't handle contaminated items without protection
Items that contacted decomposition fluids can carry bacteria and other pathogens. Odor clings to skin, hair and clothing. If you must enter before cleanup, wear gloves and avoid the affected area. Better still, let professionals retrieve items for you.
What can usually be saved
Whether an item can be saved depends on what it is made of and whether it was contaminated or only exposed to odor.
Often salvageable:
- Hard items such as dishes, glassware, metal, ceramics and most plastics
- Jewelry, coins and other non-porous valuables
- Sealed wood furniture that wasn't in contact with fluids
- Clothing and textiles exposed only to odor, which can often be laundered or professionally cleaned
- Documents and photos that weren't directly contaminated
Usually not salvageable:
- Mattresses, box springs and upholstered furniture that absorbed fluids
- Carpet and rugs from the affected area
- Pillows, bedding and clothing that contacted fluids
- Paper items soaked with fluids
Case by case:
- Books and papers with odor but no contact
- Electronics, which may hold odor or contamination internally
- Artwork and photographs, which may be restorable by specialists
Items worth searching for
Families often need specific items for the estate or for personal reasons. Make a list for the cleanup company:
- Wills, trusts and estate documents
- Insurance policies, financial statements and tax records
- Deeds, titles and vehicle registrations
- Identification and passports
- Keys, phones and computers
- Jewelry, cash and valuables
- Photographs, letters and keepsakes
- Firearms, which must be handled according to law and by an authorized person
Professional crews search methodically, including in places people tend to keep important items, such as drawers, closets, pockets and books.
How items are cleaned
- Hard items are cleaned and disinfected.
- Washable textiles exposed to odor are laundered, sometimes more than once, with odor-neutralizing products.
- Non-washable textiles may be sent for professional cleaning or ozone treatment in a controlled chamber.
- Documents and photos with odor may be aired, deodorized or copied; contaminated originals can sometimes be restored by specialists.
- Electronics are wiped externally; internal contamination needs a specialist's evaluation.
Odor in belongings
Odor can transfer to items throughout the home, not just in the room where the death occurred. Even items that look unaffected may carry odor. Cleaning and deodorizing contents is often a separate phase of the project.
Donating or discarding
Items that are clean and unwanted can be donated, sold or given to family. Contaminated items should be discarded properly, not donated. The cleanup company can document disposed items for insurance or the estate.
Who has authority
If the person lived alone, the right to make decisions about belongings typically belongs to the executor or administrator of the estate. Family members should coordinate so items aren't removed without agreement. Landlords should follow state law on tenant belongings and work with the estate.
Insurance
Homeowners or renters insurance may cover belongings damaged by contamination after a sudden event. A cleanup company's inventory, with photos of non-salvageable items, supports a contents claim.
Storage and timing
If the home must be vacated quickly, for example because a lease is ending or a property is being sold, packed belongings can go into short-term storage while the family decides. Label boxes by room and keep the inventory list. Storage costs may be reimbursable by insurance or paid by the estate.
Emotional care
Sorting through a loved one's belongings after an unattended death can be painful, especially when the condition of the home is upsetting. Bring a friend, take breaks, and consider having professionals pack items so you can go through them later in a calmer setting.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to keep a loved one's clothing?
Clothing that contacted fluids should be discarded. Clothing that only has odor can usually be laundered or professionally cleaned and kept safely.
Can photos be saved?
Photos with odor but no contact usually can. Contaminated photos may be restored by specialists, or scanned and reproduced.
Should we donate furniture from the home?
Only items that weren't contaminated and have been cleaned. Don't donate items that absorbed fluids or carry strong odor.
What if family members disagree about belongings?
The estate's representative has authority. Packing and storing items gives time for the family to reach decisions together.
Can the cleanup company ship items to family out of state?
Many can pack recovered items for shipping or delivery once they've been cleaned. Ask when you schedule the work.
Key takeaways
You don't have to decide everything at once. Let professionals recover important items first, with protection. Hard items are usually salvageable; soft items that absorbed fluids usually aren't. Odor-affected textiles can often be cleaned. Coordinate with the estate's representative, document items for insurance, and take care of yourself.
Sources
- OSHA: Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
- EPA: Ozone Generators That Are Sold as Air Cleaners
This guide is general information. It is not legal, medical, environmental or safety advice. Rules vary by state and locality. For a specific situation, consult the relevant agency or a qualified professional.