Dealing With The Aftermath of a Suicide

Suicide Causes Both Emotional and Physical Effects

Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy, but it can be especially difficult in the aftermath of suicide. These events are often sudden, leaving friends and family members stunned in their wake. As a result, tending to practical matters, such as what to do with a loved one’s belongings, can become agonizing tasks to those in mourning.

While it may be painful, moving on is an integral part of the healing process. However, there are certain actions which can help bring closure to the distraught, while also honoring the memory of the person who has passed on.

Dealing With the Physical Aftermath

Contending with the physical reminders of a suicide can be the most traumatic aspect of recovery. For this reason, seeking professional assistance is highly encouraged when dealing with a suicide cleanup. Not only can this help the family avoid additional trauma by limiting their exposure to the death scene; it also helps ensure the home remains safe for habitation by eliminating bloodborne pathogens, bacteria, and other potential health risks.

A thorough cleaning is required to remove all bio from a home. This entails using chemicals specifically designed to clean blood and bodily fluids, paying particular attention to effectiveness and curing times, and testing repeatedly to ensure all traces of bio are removed. A professional cleaning company will have the means to safely return a home to its former state, and will be able to make recommendations in the event that the situation requires additional remediation.

Handling Personal Effects

A more intimate and emotional facet of a cleanup involves dealing with the deceased’s personal effects. This can be a heart-wrenching experience for family members, especially in cases of suicide. While it may be tempting to leave belongings in the same state as they were before the tragedy occurred, doing so can get in the way of the grieving process.

In cases where a will is in place, legal counsel may be necessary to interpret the final wishes of the deceased. In absence of a binding will, friends and family may be tasked with disseminating one’s belongings on their own. These circumstances will call for discretion by whoever is elected to take charge.

Items of great sentimental value are typically offered to the immediate family. For less personal items, donation can be a great option. Donations can even serve to honor the memory of the deceased, which can be comforting to friends and family in their time of grief. For those items that are directly impacted by the tragedy, most professional biohazard cleanup companies will advise disposing of these things properly, as medical waste, and will offer to do so as part of the cleanup service.  Though there may be a desire to keep certain items, bio is difficult if not impossible to remove from many materials.  However, in this situation, it is ultimately up to the family to determine what should be salvaged.

Don’t Face Tragedy Alone

Crime Scene Clean-Up can help families by offering professional and compassionate service. This includes thoroughly cleaning a tragic scene, which will allow loved ones continue the grieving process unimpeded.