Whether it's a friend, family member, a tenant, or a complete stranger, discovering the body of a deceased person is never a pleasant experience for anyone. Whatever the circumstances, it can be shocking, distressing and traumatic.
So, practical issues such as cleaning up the site - and the cost involved - are likely to be farthest from your mind. Even so, these aspects must be addressed, and if you're the property owner, it's probably going to fall to you to sort them out.
As a professional trauma cleaning company, Scrubbed With Love in Liverpool is familiar with this type of scenario; our teams are trained to deal with this both physically and mentally. Known as the cleaning company that cares, we provide a specialised service with a compassionate approach, and this includes offering advice and guidance to all who need it.
And as part of this service, we have put together this blog series, and this one is all about the cost of using an after-death cleaning service.
Before we come to the costs, we'll provide as much useful information as possible; we fully understand that few people have experienced situations like this and won't know what to expect. Our role is to guide you through the process from start to finish with genuine compassion and professionalism.
Also called trauma cleaning, biohazard remediation or unattended death cleaning, this service is offered by trained professionals to restore the affected area to a safe, hazard-free condition.
It's typically needed in the event of an 'unattended death' or 'undiscovered death', meaning that a person has died and the body hasn't been discovered for a while.
While the facts are unpleasant, it's essential to view this with a practical (but sensitive) attitude. After death, the body immediately begins the natural process of breaking down, contaminating the area with bodily fluids. If the death was caused by violence, then blood very well may be present, and there may well be other such hazardous materials, including vomit, faeces or urine.
In some cases, contaminated sharps may be involved, such as syringes, needles, blades or broken glass.
All of this biohazardous waste presents a serious health risk, which is why you need an experienced team with professional equipment to clean it up. On no account should you ever attempt to do this yourself.
This adds another dimension to an already unpleasant situation. The police will inevitably be involved, along with other emergency services, and you won't be able to access the scene until they have given the go-ahead. While there are several factors that influence the overall cost, many people understandably ask how much does crime scene cleaning cost in Liverpool, as crime scene cleanup costs are typically higher, depending on the severity of the case.
Before we get to the trauma cleaning costs, it's worth looking at what happens during a typical unattended death cleanup to see where that money is being spent.
While each situation is unique, the core principles remain the same: safety, compassion, and restoration. While every specialist cleaning company has its own methods, any reputable outfit will follow a similar pattern.
Here's how the Scrubbed With Love crew will handle things...
We begin with a sensitive conversation. Whether you're a family member, landlord, housing officer or friend, we’ll listen carefully and answer any questions you may have. Our experienced team will assess the situation discreetly and advise on the steps needed.
This type of cleaning requires more than conventional methods. We use professional-grade equipment and biohazard protocols to safely remove any biological matter. This might include bodily fluids or tissues, which can carry health risks if not properly dealt with. We wear full personal protective gear and always adhere to strict hygiene standards.
In some cases, natural decomposition can lead to strong odours. Our team uses specialist deodorising treatments and air purification techniques to restore freshness to the environment, always mindful of the emotional weight of returning to such a space.
Any contaminated materials, such as bedding, carpets or furniture, are removed and disposed of in accordance with environmental and health regulations. We’ll always discuss what’s being taken away, and never remove personal belongings without clear instructions.
Once the area is clean and safe, we can assist in restoring the space, whether that means preparing it for sale, returning it to a landlord, or simply giving family members peace of mind that the home is no longer burdened by trauma.
There’s no one-size-fits-all price, as every situation is different. Instead, the cost is shaped by a few key factors:
Whether we’re attending to a peaceful passing, a traumatic event, a suicide or a crime scene cleanup, each scenario brings its own set of challenges. Trauma cleaning often involves complex biohazard risks and forensic considerations, which require specialised training, equipment, and time.
In cases where someone has passed away and remained undiscovered for some time, additional work may be required to return the space to a safe and habitable condition. Natural decomposition can impact not only the immediate area but also surrounding furniture, flooring, walls, and in some cases, even the structural integrity of parts of the property. The longer the time before discovery, the more thorough and specialist the cleaning process tends to be.
Cleaning a single bedroom is very different to restoring an entire flat or a multi-storey house. Larger or more complex spaces naturally take longer to assess, clean, decontaminate, and restore to a safe standard. Properties with multiple rooms or difficult layouts may involve more intensive cleaning, extra equipment, and increased waste removal. They may also require more advanced odour treatment strategies to ensure the entire environment is safe and comfortable once again.
Some scenes may involve extensive biological materials, physical damage, or the presence of hazardous waste, all of which require professional and compliant disposal. The more severe or widespread the contamination, the more time, resources, and specialist protective measures are necessary to carry out the work safely and thoroughly. In such cases, both the health risks and the emotional weight of the task are taken into careful account throughout the process.
Proper disposal of all contaminated waste is essential; harmful bacteria, bloodborne pathogens and all manner of germs or viruses can be present, along with sharps that can cause injury and pass on disease. Specialist equipment is required to handle these materials, and there are fees associated with their transport and disposal, which will be passed on to the customer.
We always approach personal items with great care and sensitivity, recognising that every object may hold sentimental value. If a property requires full decluttering or a complete clearance alongside the biohazard cleaning, this will naturally influence the scope of work.
It often means additional time on-site, more hands to ensure careful sorting and respectful handling, and potentially larger volumes of waste removal. However, this contributes to the overall time and labour cost involved.
Sometimes, quick attendance is vital, especially in situations involving tenanted properties or public health concerns. Emergency or out-of-hours call-outs can carry a higher fee, simply due to the logistics of mobilising a team at short notice.
After-death cleaning often goes beyond the immediate task of biohazard removal. Depending on your needs, a company may offer extra services to support you through the process, such as deep cleaning of unaffected rooms, professional odour neutralisation, pest control, or even gentle assistance with sorting and salvaging personal belongings.
Some families also request support with property clearance, carpet or flooring removal, or light repairs to restore a space to a safe and liveable condition. You may also be offered counselling or guidance to cope with the stress of dealing with a traumatic incident.
These extra steps, while entirely optional, can offer peace of mind, but they may also affect the final cost, depending on the level of work involved. We’ll always talk through any extras clearly and respectfully, so you can decide what’s right for your situation without any pressure.
We understand that you're facing difficult circumstances and dealing with the costs is a daunting task. However, this is a practical and necessary service using specialist cleaners and professional expertise, so we need to be realistic about the price.
While, as we already said, every situation is different, we know it helps to have a rough idea of what to expect when it comes to pricing. Below are a few examples to give you a general sense of the average costs involved in after-death or trauma cleaning. These are not fixed quotes, but they can offer some guidance during a time when clarity is especially valuable.
It's worth checking with your insurance company, as many policies these days include a clause relating to trauma cleaning costs. This works for both domestic and business premises, and could be very helpful.
In some cases, the local authorities may be able to offer financial assistance if the incident occurs on council property, but this will vary depending on local regulations.
If the cost is causing you serious concern, please contact us for further advice and guidance.
At Scrubbed With Love, we’ll always provide a clear, compassionate, free quote before any work begins - no hidden fees, no surprises. Just open, honest communication from a team that truly understands the emotional weight behind the job.
Our professional team works with diligence, respect and compassion to get the job done with minimal disruption; it's all about putting the customer's needs first.
If you’re unsure about what’s involved, we’re just a phone call away. We’re here to guide you gently, respectfully, and at a pace that feels right for you.