Discovering a deceased person on your property is something no one whether a homeowner, landlord, or property manager ever expects to face. Whether it occurs in a private residence, rental unit, commercial building, or vacant property, the situation can be overwhelming and deeply distressing.
At Grimebusters Ltd., we have been serving Edmonton and surrounding communities since 1994. Over the past 30 years, we have helped families, landlords, and business owners navigate situations like this with professionalism, discretion, and care. When something this serious happens, knowing what to do in the first few minutes and hours is critical for safety, legal reasons, and emotional well-being.
This guide outlines the immediate steps you should take if you discover a deceased person on your property in Edmonton.
Step 1: Ensure Your Immediate Safety
Your first priority is safety.
If you discover a body:
- Do not touch anything
- Do not attempt to move the person
- Do not disturb the surrounding area
- Leave the immediate space if possible
There may be biohazards present, including blood or other bodily fluids. Even if there are no visible signs, the area must be treated as potentially contaminated. In some cases, decomposition may have begun, which can increase health risks and structural damage concerns.
If there is any sign of violence or suspicious circumstances, remove yourself from the area immediately and wait for authorities.
Step 2: Call 911 Immediately
In Edmonton and across Alberta, you must contact emergency services right away.
Call 911 and report:
- The location of the property
- That you have discovered a deceased person
- Whether the situation appears suspicious
Police and emergency responders will attend the scene. They will determine whether there is any criminal investigation required and coordinate with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
It is important to understand that you cannot legally proceed with any cleanup until authorities have released the scene.
Step 3: Do Not Attempt to Clean the Area Yourself
This is one of the most important points.
Even if the death appears to be natural, the area may contain biological contamination that requires professional handling. Attempting to clean the space yourself can:
- Expose you to bloodborne pathogens
- Spread contamination to other areas
- Create cross-contamination in HVAC systems
- Damage flooring and structural materials
- Complicate insurance claims
We have written before about why professional intervention is essential in situations like this in our blog, “Crime Scene Cleanup: The Hidden Reasons You Need a Professional.” The risks are not always visible, and proper containment and disposal procedures are required.
Under Alberta health and safety regulations, biohazard materials must be handled and disposed of according to strict guidelines. Standard cleaning products and household PPE are not sufficient.
Step 4: Wait for Authorities to Release the Scene
After police and emergency responders complete their work, they will formally release the scene.
This can take several hours or longer depending on the circumstances.
Only once the property has been released can professional biohazard cleanup begin. At that stage, you can contact a specialized team experienced in unattended death cleanup and trauma scene remediation.
Understanding the Risks After an Unattended Death
In many cases, especially in rental units or vacant properties, the death may have gone undiscovered for some time. When this happens, additional concerns arise:
- Decomposition odours
- Fluid migration into subflooring
- Contamination of porous materials
- Insect activity
- Structural damage
We discuss the early stages of response in our article “Your First Steps After Finding an Unattended Death,” but each property is different. In Edmonton’s climate, indoor temperature and seasonal conditions can influence how quickly decomposition affects building materials.
What many property owners do not realize is that fluids can travel downward through flooring into:
- Subfloor sheathing
- Floor joists
- Ceiling cavities below
- Wall insulation
Professional assessment is necessary to determine how far contamination has spread.
Step 5: Contact a Professional Biohazard Cleanup Company
Once the scene is released, the next step is contacting a trained biohazard cleanup provider.
At Grimebusters Ltd., our Biohazardous Cleaning services are designed specifically for situations like unattended deaths, trauma scenes, and other high-risk contamination events. Our technicians are trained, certified, and equipped with:
- Proper PPE
- Containment barriers
- HEPA air filtration
- Professional-grade disinfectants
- Biohazard disposal protocols
We approach every situation with discretion and respect. These are often emotionally charged circumstances for families, tenants, or property managers. Our role is to restore the property safely while protecting everyone involved.
If you are a landlord, you may also want to review our article on “What to Expect from Tenant Eviction Cleaning Services,” as similar safety protocols apply when biohazards are involved in rental properties.
What Professional Cleanup Actually Involves
Many people assume cleanup means surface disinfection. In reality, proper remediation is a structured process.
1. Assessment and Safety Planning
We evaluate:
- The affected areas
- The type and extent of contamination
- Structural materials impacted
- Odour penetration
Every property is different. We provide a written quote before work begins.
2. Containment
Containment barriers are installed to prevent cross-contamination. Negative air pressure systems may be used to protect unaffected areas.
3. Removal of Contaminated Materials
In some cases, this may involve removing:
- Carpet and underlay
- Sections of drywall
- Subfloor materials
- Insulation
All materials are disposed of according to regulated biohazard standards.
4. Cleaning and Disinfection
Professional-grade disinfectants are applied following dwell-time requirements to neutralize pathogens.
5. Odour Control
Odour control is often necessary after an unattended death. We may use:
- Hydroxyl generators
- Thermal fogging
- Air scrubbing systems
For more on this process, see our blog “Why Cigarette Smoke Removal Takes More Than Cleaning,” which explains how odours penetrate porous materials. Similar principles apply in decomposition scenarios.
6. Restoration and Reconstruction
If structural materials are removed, we can provide reconstruction services. As a one-stop provider, we handle demolition, remediation, and rebuilding, reducing delays and simplifying the process for property owners.
Insurance Considerations
Many property owners do not realize that unattended death cleanup may be covered under homeowners insurance or commercial property policies.
If you are a landlord or property manager, you should:
- Contact your insurance provider immediately
- Document the condition of the property
- Keep records of professional assessments and invoices
Attempting to clean the property yourself could jeopardize coverage. Professional documentation supports your claim and demonstrates compliance with safety standards.
Legal and Liability Considerations for Landlords
If the death occurred in a rental unit, landlords have specific responsibilities.
These include:
- Ensuring the property is returned to a safe condition
- Addressing biohazard risks properly
- Avoiding exposure of future tenants to contamination
Failure to properly remediate the space could expose you to liability. Our article “How to Handle Eviction Tenant Cleaning as a Landlord” touches on similar responsibilities in high-risk situations.
Professional documentation protects you and demonstrates due diligence.
Emotional Considerations
Situations involving death are not just technical problems. They are deeply human experiences.
Families may be grieving. Tenants may be in shock. Neighbours may be concerned.
At Grimebusters, we approach every unattended death cleanup with discretion and empathy. We do not use marked vehicles unless requested. We communicate clearly. We respect privacy.
We have worked with families across Edmonton for more than three decades, and we understand that compassion matters just as much as technical expertise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After discovering a deceased person, avoid these actions:
- Attempting DIY cleanup
- Using household cleaners on contaminated surfaces
- Allowing unprotected individuals into the space
- Turning on HVAC systems that may spread contaminants
- Delaying professional assessment
Delays can worsen structural damage and increase odour penetration.
How Edmonton’s Climate Can Complicate the Situation
Edmonton’s climate presents unique factors.
In winter:
- Indoor heating can accelerate decomposition effects
- Frozen pipes may complicate access to water systems
In summer:
- Warmer indoor temperatures can increase odour spread
- Insect activity may be more significant
Older housing stock, particularly homes built decades ago, may have porous materials that allow deeper contamination.
Each of these factors influences how remediation must be handled.
When Reconstruction Becomes Necessary
In some cases, cleanup alone is not enough.
If fluids have penetrated structural materials, partial demolition and rebuilding may be required. Because we offer General Contracting & Reconstruction services in addition to remediation, we can manage the entire process from initial cleanup through final restoration.
This integrated approach minimizes downtime for landlords and reduces stress for homeowners.
Why Professional Certification Matters
Biohazard cleanup is not general cleaning.
It requires:
- Training in bloodborne pathogen protocols
- Knowledge of regulatory disposal requirements
- Professional containment equipment
- Experience handling sensitive situations
As outlined in our “Common Biohazard Cleaning Services from Grimebusters” blog, not every cleaning company is equipped for this type of work.
Experience matters. Certification matters. Proper equipment matters.
A Clear Path Forward
If you discover a deceased person on your property:
- Ensure your safety
- Call 911
- Do not disturb the scene
- Wait for authorities to release it
- Contact a professional biohazard cleanup company
You do not have to navigate this alone.
For over 30 years, Grimebusters Ltd. has provided discreet, professional biohazard cleaning services in Edmonton. We are family-owned, locally rooted, and available 24/7 for emergency response.
Call to Action
If you are facing this situation or have questions about next steps, contact Grimebusters Ltd. Our team can provide clear guidance, a written assessment, and safe professional cleanup when the scene is released.
We are here to restore safety, protect your property, and handle the process with care and respect.