Biohazard guide
What to Do When Someone Dies at Home in Florida
When someone dies at home in Florida: who to call for expected and unexpected deaths, the medical examiner's role, funeral steps and home cleanup.
Short answer
Short answer: What to Do When Someone Dies at Home in Florida
If the death was unexpected, call 911. Emergency responders and law enforcement will come, and under Florida Statute 406.11 the district medical examiner decides whether to investigate deaths such as those that are sudden, unattended by a physician, or caused by accident or violence. If the person was in hospice care, call the hospice first; they guide the next steps. After the person is taken into care, contact a funeral home. If the death was not discovered right away, the home may need professional biohazard cleanup.
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In this guide
- 1Expected death under hospice care
- 2Unexpected death
- 3The medical examiner's role
- 4The next few days
- 5When the home needs biohazard cleanup
- 6Insurance and costs
- 7Take care of yourself
Expected death under hospice care
When a person receiving hospice care dies at home, the family usually calls the hospice agency rather than 911. Hospice staff confirm the death, handle the required notifications and help the family contact the funeral home they have chosen. Keep the hospice phone number where everyone can find it.
Unexpected death
- Call 911 right away.
- Follow the dispatcher's instructions.
- Do not move the person or disturb the area unless directed by the dispatcher.
- Law enforcement will usually respond; this is routine for unexpected deaths.
- The medical examiner's office decides whether it needs to investigate and when the person can be released to a funeral home.
The medical examiner's role
Florida Statute 406.11 requires the district medical examiner to determine the cause of death in certain circumstances, including deaths by violence, accident or suicide, deaths that occur suddenly when the person was in apparent good health, and deaths unattended by a practicing physician or other recognized practitioner. St. Lucie County is served by the medical examiner district covering the Treasure Coast. The medical examiner's office can tell the family what to expect and when the person can be released.
The next few days
| Task | Who usually helps |
|---|---|
| Choose a funeral home and arrange burial or cremation | Funeral director |
| Death certificates | Funeral director files and orders certified copies |
| Notify family, employer, Social Security and benefit providers | Family or executor; funeral homes often notify Social Security |
| Secure the home, vehicles, pets and valuables | Family |
| Locate a will and contact an attorney about the estate | Family or executor |
| Clean and restore the home if needed | Biohazard cleanup company |
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When the home needs biohazard cleanup
If a death was not discovered for some time, or if there was significant blood loss, bodily fluids can soak into flooring, subfloors and furniture and cause strong odors. This is not ordinary cleaning. Blood and body fluids may carry bloodborne pathogens, and OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard governs how workers are protected. Professional biohazard cleanup companies remove contaminated materials, clean and disinfect, treat odor, and dispose of regulated waste under Florida Department of Health biomedical waste rules.
Cleanup typically starts only after law enforcement and the medical examiner release the scene. Family members should not attempt to clean significant contamination themselves.
Insurance and costs
Some homeowners and renters policies may cover biohazard cleanup after a death in the home, depending on the policy. Call the insurer, explain what happened and ask about coverage before work begins. A reputable cleanup company will explain its process, provide a written estimate and work discreetly.
Take care of yourself
Finding a loved one or dealing with a death at home is traumatic. Lean on family, friends, faith leaders or a grief counselor. Hospice organizations often offer bereavement support to families, including people who were not hospice patients. If you are in crisis, you can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Related services
Services that go with this guide
Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup
Discreet cleanup after a death, suicide, injury or crime in Fort Pierce: when it can start, what is removed, how waste is handled and who may pay..
Biohazard Cleanup
Biohazard cleanup across St.
Smoke Odor Removal
How smoke smell is removed after a Fort Pierce fire: source removal, cleaning, sealing, HVAC, thermal fogging and hydroxyl or ozone, with safety limits..
Guides
Keep reading
- How to Clean Up Mouse and Rat Droppings SafelyThe CDC method for cleaning mouse and rat droppings: ventilate, wear gloves, soak with disinfectant, never sweep or vacuum, and when to call a pro.
- What to Do After a House FireWhat to do after a house fire in St. Lucie County: safe reentry, the fire report, insurance, securing the home, discarding food and smoke cleanup.
FAQ
Questions people ask
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Who do I call when someone dies at home in Florida?
Call 911 for an unexpected death. If the person was in hospice care, call the hospice.
Do I call 911 if someone dies at home under hospice?
Usually not. Call the hospice agency, which guides the next steps.
Will police come if someone dies at home?
For unexpected deaths, law enforcement usually responds. This is routine.
When does the medical examiner get involved in Florida?
Under Florida Statute 406.11, in deaths such as those by violence, accident or suicide, sudden deaths and deaths unattended by a physician.
Can I move the body of someone who died at home?
For an unexpected death, do not move the person or disturb the area unless the 911 dispatcher tells you to.
How long before a funeral home can take the body?
After any required medical examiner review, the person can be released to the funeral home.
Who orders the death certificate in Florida?
The funeral director usually files it and can order certified copies for the family.
Who cleans up after a death at home?
Professional biohazard cleanup companies, after law enforcement and the medical examiner release the scene.
Should family clean up after an unattended death?
No. Bodily fluids can carry pathogens and soak into materials. Professional cleanup is recommended.
Does homeowners insurance cover death cleanup?
Some policies may cover it. Call your insurer and ask before work begins.
How long does biohazard cleanup take after a death?
It depends on the extent of contamination. The cleanup company will explain after an assessment.
Can odor after an unattended death be removed?
Professional cleanup removes contaminated materials and treats the odor at its source.
What is an unattended death?
Generally, a death that was not witnessed or not under a physician's care, or one discovered after some time.
Where can I get grief support?
Hospice organizations, faith leaders and counselors. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Who handles death cleanup in Fort Pierce?
Call the number on this page to be connected with an independent biohazard cleanup company serving Fort Pierce.
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