Questions & answers
Crime scene & death cleanup FAQ
Straight answers about timing, cost, insurance, victim compensation, privacy and what we clean around Madison.
No money up frontPrice approved firstInsurance billed for youLocal techs, 24/7
Who to call
Who do I call, and who does what?
The questions people ask most when they don’t know where to start: who cleans up, who pays and how to choose a company.
Call MadTown Biohazard Crime Scene Cleanup at 608-974-1788. We’re a local Madison crew that cleans up after deaths, suicides, crimes and other biohazards across Dane County and south central Wisconsin, and we answer 24/7.
A biohazard cleanup company, not the police, the Dane County Medical Examiner or the funeral home. Once the medical examiner releases the home, families call a company like MadTown Biohazard at 608-974-1788.
No. Police secure the scene, the medical examiner takes care of the person who died and releases the home, and the funeral home handles arrangements. None of them clean the home. That’s left to the family or the property owner.
Usually the property owner’s insurance: homeowners, renters, landlord or business policies often cover it. When a crime was involved, Wisconsin crime victim compensation lists up to $1,000 for crime scene cleanup for eligible victims. We bill insurance directly and nothing is due up front.
Not automatically, but many families pay little or nothing out of pocket. Insurance often covers it, and Wisconsin crime victim compensation can help after a crime. We check coverage with you and give you the price in writing before we start.
Training, equipment and disposal. Crime scene cleaners are trained for bloodborne pathogens, use protective gear and hospital-grade disinfectants, remove contaminated flooring and drywall, and send waste to a licensed medical waste facility. A house cleaner or carpet cleaner isn’t set up for any of that.
Look for a local crew that answers any hour, gives you a written scope and price before starting, bills your insurance directly, disposes of waste at a licensed facility and doesn’t pressure you. Ask who exactly is coming and when. You can choose your own company even if your insurer suggests one.
MadTown Biohazard does, privately and completely, and we handle the insurance claim so the family doesn’t have to explain what happened. Call 608-974-1788. If you or someone in your family is struggling, call or text 988 any time.
All of Dane County and the towns around it, in five zones: Madison and its closest suburbs, inner and outer Dane County, then out to Janesville, Baraboo, Portage, Watertown and Monroe. See every town we cover.
We do, and we work with landlords and university housing staff. Parents can read our guide for families after a student death. UW-Madison’s Dean of Students office also supports families: (608) 263-5700.
Who does what
Who does what after a death
Police, the medical examiner, the funeral home, your insurer and us: each handles one part.
| Who | What they do | What they don’t do |
|---|---|---|
| 911 and police | Secure the scene and investigate. | Don't clean, and won't recommend one company over another. |
| The Dane County Medical Examiner | Takes care of the person who died, investigates and tells the family when the home is released. | Doesn't clean, remove stains or remove odor. |
| The funeral home | Cares for your loved one and arranges the visitation and service. | Doesn't clean or decontaminate the home. |
| Your insurance company | Pays for covered cleanup and repairs. | Doesn't send a crew. You can choose your own cleanup company. |
| The landlord or property manager | Owns the unit and usually arranges cleanup in a rental. | Can't let anyone in to clean until police and the Dane County Medical Examiner release it. |
| A house cleaner or carpet cleaner | Everyday cleaning. | Usually isn't trained or equipped for bloodborne pathogens or medical waste disposal. |
| MadTown Biohazard | Cleans, disinfects and removes odor, sends waste to a licensed facility, rebuilds and bills your insurer. | Call 608-974-1788, 24/7. |
As soon as the property is released, day or night. Your call goes to the tech who covers your town, and you get a name and an honest arrival time before you hang up.
No. No deposit and no card on file. We bill your insurance directly and help with Wisconsin crime victim compensation when a crime was involved. Anything left is explained in writing before we start.
Yes, every time. We walk through the affected area, write up the scope and price, and go over it with you. Nothing starts until you approve it. If we find more, we stop and tell you first.
Yes. We clean to IICRC standards, follow OSHA bloodborne pathogen rules and take biohazard waste to a licensed medical waste facility under Wisconsin rules.
Often, yes. Homeowners, renters, landlord and business policies frequently cover sudden events like a death, crime or injury. We document the job and work with your adjuster.
Call anyway. If a crime was involved, Wisconsin crime victim compensation lists up to $1,000 for crime scene cleanup for eligible victims, and we help you apply. Otherwise you get a written price first, and we’ll talk through options.
Yes. If flooring, subfloor or drywall has to come out, we rebuild it under the same plan, so you deal with one company from the first call to the finished room.
Yes. We work with landlords and parents who live out of state, walk the unit with family on video if they can’t travel, and ship personal belongings home.
Yes. Judgment-free cleanouts at the person’s pace. We set aside keepsakes and papers, handle hidden biohazards and can come back on a schedule.
We keep our arrival low-key, carry equipment in closed cases and never discuss a job with anyone but you.
All of Dane County and the towns around it, from Portage and Baraboo to Janesville, Monroe, Dodgeville, Watertown and Beaver Dam. See all 47 towns on our service areas page.
We can. Give us your insurer and policy number if you have them, and we’ll document the scene, send the estimate and answer the adjuster’s questions.
Usually not. Insurers may suggest vendors, but as the policyholder you can generally choose who works in your home. Ask your adjuster if you’re unsure.
Yes. We can go over the plan, the insurance and the paperwork in Spanish. Sí, ofrecemos ayuda en español.
We’re here right now
You don't have to handle this alone
Call now. The tech closest to you starts driving while we talk, and nothing happens until you approve the plan. Day or night, no money up front.
¿Prefiere hablar en español? Ofrecemos asistencia bilingüe cuando la necesite. Llame al 608-974-1788.
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We hire local. Join our cleanup team
Steady, meaningful work in Madison and across south central Wisconsin. We hire people from the towns we serve and train you to IICRC standards.