Unattended Death refers to the discovery of the body of a loved one, friend or tenant that
remained undiscovered for days, weeks or even months. People wonder if this happens often
and, unfortunately, it does. A person is more at risk of dying alone when they live alone or have
a medical condition. Discovering an unattended death can be distressing and traumatizing.
HALO’s clients describe being filled with shock, grief and confusion.

Steps to Take If You Discover an Unattended Death

In the event of discovering an unattended death, here are steps you should take:

Do not disturb the scene

Depending on the circumstances of death, disturbing the scene in any way can both be
detrimental to an investigation if necessary and can expose you to some serious
biohazards. Body decomposition begins as soon as a person passes away and bodies
that are unattended for longer periods of time contaminate the area around them with
bodily fluids that can carry harmful pathogens and diseases. Always treat an unattended
death as a biohazard and do not touch anything.

Call 911/ Notify the Authorities

To help ensure the safety of yourself and others, call the authorities to report the
unattended death. Professionals will come and assess the scene and situation. You can
expect the police, fire rescue, ambulance, potentially other law enforcement officials and
the coroner to show up. If an investigation is necessary, it could be some time before the
scene is released back to you.

Notify Next of Kin or Emergency Contacts

Although these types of conversations are difficult, use the phone or hold an in person
meeting to deliver the news that someone has passed away. It is not compassionate or
appropriate to text or email. Families need time to hear the news, digest it and make