First 10 Steps After Discovering an Unattended Death in Your Seattle Home

Table of Contents

• Step 1 — Call 911 Immediately

• Step 2 — Request Coroner Notification

• Step 3 — Secure the Scene

• Step 4 — Document Key Details

• Step 5 — Notify Immediate Family or Next of Kin

• Step 6 — Contact a Licensed Biohazard Cleanup Contractor

• Step 7 — Open an Insurance Claim

• Step 8 — Tap Local Family Resources

• Step 9 — Verify Odor & Biohazard Clearance

• Step 10 — Collect Final Documents

• Why Community Orgs Love Linking to This List

• Closing Thought

When an unattended death is discovered, Seattle homeowners and property managers need concise, reliable steps, not improvisation. The crisis checklist that follows is formatted for easy printing and sharing, so feel free to post it on community bulletin boards, include it on nonprofit resource pages, or file it in your emergency binder.

If you’ve searched what to do after unattended death Seattle, you’re in the right place.

Step 1 — Call 911 Immediately

Even if the person is obviously deceased, dial 911. Dispatch will send Seattle Police plus EMS to confirm death, secure the property, and trigger the Medical Examiner response. Resist the urge to “double-check” the body; first responders will handle that.

Step 2 — Request Coroner Notification

Tell the dispatcher you need the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO). Under RCW 68.50.010 the coroner has legal jurisdiction over sudden, unattended deaths — not your family doctor. The KCMEO investigator will arrive (or instruct officers) to take custody and begin the official investigation.  Pro tip: Save the KCMEO general line (206-731-3232 ext 1) in your phone now.

Step 3 — Secure the Scene

While you wait, limit access to the area. Close interior doors, post a simple “Do Not Enter” note, and keep pets and family in another part of the house. This protects potential evidence and shields you from biohazard exposure.

Step 4 — Document Key Details

Write down:

• Time you discovered the decedent

• Who was present

• Anything unusual you noticed (forced entry, medication bottles, odors)

Hand these notes to the police or coroner; they speed the investigation and reduce repeated questioning later.

Step 5 — Notify Immediate Family or Next of Kin

Use a calm, factual script: “I’m sorry to tell you … He was found unresponsive; authorities are here now.” Offer to coordinate calls so the story stays accurate and rumors don’t spiral.

Step 6 — Contact a Licensed Biohazard Cleanup Contractor

After the Medical Examiner releases the scene, cleaning must follow OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen and Washington DOH rules. DIY bleach is not enough. Call a certified Seattle biohazard contractor—they’ll provide a written scope, photos for insurance, and a clearance certificate once complete.

Step 7 — Open an Insurance Claim

Most homeowner policies cover some biohazard cleanup pricing. Phone your carrier’s 24-hour line the same day and request a “claim for unattended-death remediation.” Provide the contractor’s estimate and KCMEO case number. 

Step 8 — Tap Local Family Resources

Shock often arrives after the police leave. Seattle offers round-the-clock help:

• 24-Hour Crisis Line: 866-427-4747

• King County 2-1-1: referrals for food, housing, legal aid, and mental-health care 
  

Share these numbers with every affected family member; grief isolates quickly.

Step 9 — Verify Odor & Biohazard Clearance

Protein decomposition odors can cling for weeks. Ask your contractor for a post-cleanup verification report and, if needed, hydroxyl or ozone treatment. Don’t repaint or replace flooring until you receive a “safe for re-occupancy” letter.

Step 10 — Collect Final Documents

Within a few days you’ll need:

1. Death Certificate (funeral home or King County Vital Statistics)

2. KCMEO Release Form—allows funeral transport

3. Police or coroner Incident Report for insurance and probate purposes
   

File at least three certified copies; every bank and pension administrator will want one.

Printable Crisis Checklist (Share-and-Save)

Download this page as a PDF and stick it on the fridge—or forward it to neighborhood associations and grief-support nonprofits.

✔	Crisis Task	Who Handles It	When
1	Dial 911, request police + coroner	You	Immediate
2	Limit access, secure the scene	You/Police	Waiting period
3	Record discovery time & details	You	While waiting
4	Notify next of kin	You	Within first hour
5	Obtain KCMEO case number	Police/KCMEO	On-scene
6	Hire licensed biohazard cleaner	Homeowner/PM	After release
7	Call insurance, open claim	Homeowner/Agent	Same day
8	Contact Crisis Line or 2-1-1	Family	Same day
9	Request clearance report	Contractor	Post-cleanup
10	Collect death cert & reports	Executor	1-7 days

Why Community Orgs Love Linking to This List

• Locally sourced phone numbers and legal codes (no generic fluff)

• Plain-English action items printable on a single page

• Burnout-proof formatting—even in panic, steps are scannable

  
  

If your church, HOA, or nonprofit serves Seattle families, link to this checklist so residents can react decisively during life’s hardest hour.

Closing Thought

No blog post can erase the pain of an unattended death, but the right roadmap can spare families from compounding trauma. Bookmark this guide, share it with your network, and let it live quietly among your emergency resources. And contact us whenever you need our help.