Call 24/7 | Confidential & Discreet
(818) 839-9000 │ (310) 773-4599
(805) 852-1600 │ (714) 831-0088
(909) 332-5800 │ (949) 424-6299
(760) 565-5900 │ (951) 534-5899

  • Home
  • Services
    • Coronavirus COVID-19
    • Crime Scene Cleanup
    • Suicide Cleanup
    • Biohazard Cleanup
    • Unattended Death Cleanup
    • Blood Cleanup
    • Boat Cleanup
    • C. Diff Cleaning
    • Clutter Cleanup
    • Decomposition Cleanup
    • Feces and Urine Cleanup
    • Estate Cleanouts
    • Forensic Cleaning
    • Hoarding Cleanup
    • Homicide Cleanup
    • Homeless Encampment Clean Out
    • Infectious Disease Cleanup
    • Industrial Accident Cleanup
    • Mass Casualty Cleanup
    • MRSA Cleanup
    • Odor Removal
    • Sewage Backup Cleanup
    • Tear Gas Cleanup
    • Trauma Scene Cleanup
    • Rodent Droppings Cleanup
    • Vehicle and Airplane Cleanup
    • Biohazard Waste Disposal
  • Hoarding
    • Hoarding Cleanup
    • How It Works
    • Types of Hoarding
    • Hoarder Cleanup Videos
  • How it Works
    • How It Works
    • Homeowner’s Insurance Claim Process
    • Say No to Insurance Preferred Vendors
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Support Centers
    • Qualifications
You are here: Home / Frequently Asked Questions / Why Does a Dead Body Smell?

Why Does a Dead Body Smell?

When our bodies are alive, there are millions of things our bodies do to keep us that way such as organs that keep our essential bodily functions running such as distributing blood to our body. When those processes are interrupted, though, and the body cannot repair itself, those functions shut down, our bodies die, and many of those things that kept us alive now turn to decomposition and the result is a pungent and odor that infuses into anything that can absorb odor include the carpet, upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses, paper, cardboard, window coverings, etc.

The Smell of Decomposition

As soon as we die, our bodies start to decompose so the material can be returned to the earth and reused. Typically, a coroner would put our bodies in refrigeration to slow down this process until we are embalmed, cremated or buried. However, when a body dies and is not found right away, the smell of the decomposing body is overwhelming and those who have come across such a dead body smell say it is an indescribable odor that you never forget.

So what is happening to make the dead body smell that way?

Gas-Producing Bacteria

When it comes to what is making a dead body smell, it’s not so much what is now dead but what is now dead but what Decomposing Body Odoris alive inside the body. Once a body dies and the blood stops flowing, bacteria living in the organs, in the pancreas and intestines especially, run out of nutrients and start digesting the body instead. Once the bacteria have worked their way through the intestines or pancreas, they are released into the rest of the body and all the gas the bacteria have emitted while digesting is released as well. This gas then finds its way out of the body and fouls the air of wherever the dead body has been laid. In fact, even though some gas escapes, so much gas can remain trapped inside the body that the pressure builds and the body will explode. This process of bacteria producing noticeable gas can take 2-3 days.

A decomposing body will typically have a smell of rotting meat with fruity undertones. Exactly what the smell will be like depends on a multitude of factors:

  • The makeup of different bacteria present in the body
  • Bacterial interactions as the body decomposes
  • The stage of decomposition
  • The climate where the body is located
  • The deceased’s genetic makeup and diet

In addition to the plethora of bacteria, there are enzymes digesting cell walls, which eventually break through to the open air and contribute to the dead body smell. Typically there will also be maggots and files there attracted to the organic material decomposing that increases the decomposition by breaking down the matter as it lays eggs in the remains.

The Lingering Odor of a Dead Body

Dead Body Odor

Even after the dead body has been removed and the unattended death has been remediated, there still can be a lingering odor of the dead body. This happens because the odor permeates items made of all fabric and other porous material.

IIRC Certified

Cleanup Services

  • Suicide Cleanup
  • Crime Scene Cleanup
  • Homicide Cleanup
  • Unattended Death Cleanup
  • Decomposition Cleanup
  • Blood Cleanup
  • Infectious Disease Cleanup
  • Biohazard Cleanup
  • Hoarding Cleanup
  • Clutter Cleanup
  • Industrial Accident Cleanup/
  • Vehicle, Boat & Airplane Cleanup
  • Homeless Encampment Clean Out
  • Feces and Urine Cleanup
  • MRSA & C.diff Cleanup
  • Odor Removal
  • Tear Gas Cleanup
  • Sewage Backups
  • Rodent Droppings
  • Biohazard Waste Disposal
Bio SoCal 5.0 star rating 17 reviews Yelp logo
Steven B.'s Review Steven B.
5.0 star rating 3/29/2020

We had a 7 full sized dumpster hoarding situation at a family home of 2,300 sq ft. Narrow mountain streets, difficult access, intermittent rain storms and...

Read More »
Heather F.'s Review Heather F.
5.0 star rating 5/29/2020

Alan and his entire crew at Bio SoCal worked diligently for two days cleaning out my late father's house. He was a hoarder who was not willing or able to...

Read More »
Rosemary D.'s Review Rosemary D.
5.0 star rating 8/13/2019

My life went from disaster to blessed and I can't say enough good things about Bio So Cal and Alan. After my tenant committed suicide in my commercial...

Read More »
Bio SoCal BBB Business Review

From the Blog

  • Biohazard Cleanup in Oxnard after Cyclist is Accidentally Killed

    March 11, 2021
  • Crime Scene Cleanup in Riverside After Home Invasion Murder

    February 26, 2021
  • Domestic Disturbance Leads to a Death in La Quinta, CA

    February 18, 2021
  • Fatal Shooting in Torrance

    January 15, 2021
  • After a Suicide – What Happens to Those Left Behind?

    December 28, 2020

Helpful Resources

• CA Victim Compensation Program
• Victim's Bill of Rights:
• The Compassionate Friends of LA
• Loved Ones Victims Services
• DiDi Hirsch - Suicide and Attempted Suicide Survivors Support
• LA Crime Stoppers - Submit an Anonymous Tip

Bio SoCal BBB Business Review

Contact Us

San Fernando Valley & Conejo Valley
Phone: (818) 839-9000
Los Angeles County
Phone: (310) 773-4599
Ventura, Santa Barbara, & Kern Counties
Phone: (805) 852-1600
San Bernardino County
Phone: (909) 332-5800
Riverside County
Phone: (951) 534-5899
Coachella Valley & San Diego County
Phone: (760) 565-5900
Orange County
Phone: (714) 831-0088
Phone: (949) 424-6299

Copyright © 2021 · BioSoCal | Privacy Policy |Sitemap | Licensed-Bonded-Insured Trauma Scene Waste Management Practitioner License: TSW#493