Support first, then the room
Suicide cleanup in Lexington
If you have lost someone to suicide, please be gentle with yourself. The cleanup is something you can hand to someone else.
You do not have to see the room
Many families ask a friend, a neighbour or the cleanup company to go in first so they never have to. That is a common and reasonable choice. You can make the call, agree what will happen, and wait somewhere else while the work is done.
In Kentucky a death that appears to be a suicide is reported to the coroner and police, and the coroner orders a post-mortem examination (KRS 72.025). Cleanup begins after the Fayette County Coroner and police have released the home.
What to ask on the call
- Whether the company can come when family will not be home, and who will let them in.
- Which personal belongings they will set aside for you, and which may have to be disposed of.
- Whether they arrive in a plain vehicle, if privacy from neighbours matters to you.
- How they will bill, and whether they can send an invoice to your insurer.
Cost and payment
Price depends on the area affected, what has to be removed and how much waste there is. Homeowner and renter policies sometimes include cleanup; ask your agent what your policy says before you assume either way. In a rental, talk to the landlord.
Questions
Does the state victim fund pay for suicide cleanup?
Kentucky’s fund pays for losses caused by crimes. A suicide is usually not a crime, so the fund usually does not apply. Insurance or the estate are the more common routes.
Can a vehicle be cleaned too?
Yes. Many cleanup companies also clean cars and trucks. See the vehicle cleanup page.