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August 12, 2003
Death cleaning anyone?
Has anyone seen this billboard, just off of some of our more major highways here in Kansas City? This one can be viewed while driving north on Broadway, right after passing the I-35 onramp.
Is there such a need for these services within the general public that billboards actually draw business? (I mean, the last time I killed someone, I had to call in my own, “independently employed” death cleaner — it’s good to know that I can now trust a company to deal with my messes.)
And isn’t that picture of the dead person’s outline in the puddle of blood just beautiful? I don’t know when I saw a more agreeable depiction of death while driving around on our city streets. It just gives joy to my heart.
Seriously, though, doesn’t the police department and the FBI (and any other agency that might deal with death on a regular basis) have their own “death cleaning” departments? Maybe I’m just being ignorant, but I thought that “inceidents” of this nature were supposed to be taken care of by “official” organizations. Why does this billboard seem like this company is trying to appeal to those who may not be “official”?
All I know is that I’ve seen two of these signs in Kansas City now (I think the other one was off of I-70). Each time was a shock. Each time made me feel a little sick. Not because I don’t want to think about death and the fact that it must be “cleaned up” once in a while, but because these kind of services are, seemingly, so accessible.
Does this company ask questions? Do they make their clients sign contracts? Do they actually have to meet with their clients in person or can all of their services be ordered over the phone (or by flashing your headlights in a dark alley)?
The company’s website‘s homepage says this:
Cleansing The Pain!
We offer training.
God Forbid you would ever be faced with the tragedy of having to clean up a mess left behind from a violent crime, death or illness. But the reality of these events strikes many people everyday. Bio Cleaning Services stands ready to help. Each day we alleviate the fear and psychological trauma of our clients. Our belief is that, “No One Should Be Victimized Twice.”
Bio Cleaning Services of America, Inc. is the Premier Provider for Bio Hazard Containment and Recovery Services in the Midwest.“We manage the remediation of bio hazard contaminates in the human environment.”
- Death Scene Cleaning and Remediation
- Drug Lab Abatement and Decontamination
- Animal Based Bio Hazard Decontamination
- Odor Neutralization
We serve each of our communities proudly and discreetly. Our fully trained and certified technicians provide prompt 24 hour service.
Posted at 09:47 am
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This is the sub-title of tim\‘s weblog. Tim has seen fit to add signposts to his blogroll. Much appreciated. Go and check out his site. If nothing else, you can find the details of a good death cleaner….
Sent on August 12, 2003 at 1:42 pm , via signposts
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Comments (1):
The below comments were lost when I ported this Weblog to a new system. They have been pasted from my old Blog.
===
I read an article about a “death cleaner” once, and, as I recall, if you have an incident such as they describe, the owner of the property (not the police, not the FBI, no one “official”) are responsible for cleaning it up. And in the age of blood-borne diseases, you’re dealing with hazardous waste, my friend (not to mention a gross task regardless).
So, yes, there is a market for this. And I guess every hotel chain subcontracts out with folks like this to handle “big cleanups.”
Now, I’m not sure a billboard is the best way to advertise such services, but, then again….
Posted by: deanne at August 12, 2003 11:44 AM
Yeah, Deanne, I guess it’s the whole billboard thing that gets me. Weird and creepy.
Posted by: timsamoff at August 12, 2003 01:13 PM
That is a strange billboard. I think they could have done without the cartoon “victim”. Although, I honestly didn’t even know about this industry until I saw a cleaner profiled on television. I guess they’re trying to get the word out.
Posted by: Lee at August 12, 2003 04:23 PM
I saw a doco on the discovery channel about this – people who are stuck in this situation literally do not know who to call because it is such an unusual need.
Don’t know that I would be noting down the details from a billboard on the off chance, though…
Posted by: dan at August 12, 2003 05:40 PM
I saw one of this company’s pick-up trucks with signs all over it too. I thought it was a little much to advertise this service on a vehicle (and I get paid to put signs like that on!) but the billboard is over-the-top.
Posted by: todd at August 13, 2003 09:29 PM
We were talking about that billboard when someone linked your page for the pic. I don’t know if anyone has written to you regarding this service, but while you’d think it’s the police, FBI, etc.‘s job to clean up after an investigation… it’s not.
They are only responsible for cleaning their own equipment. Consider a murder in a private citizen’s home. After the investigation, the police take away the body, their equipment and evidence, and leave behind damage to the home, damage to furniture or other belongings not considered evidence, blood on floors, walls, carpeting, etc.
Now it’s the homeowner’s problem to clean up. For some, cleaning is part of life. But cleaning the blood of a friend or loved one. Bad enough someone was hurt or killed in your home, most probably someone you were acquainted with, if not a close friend or family member. And the kicker is you have to clean their blood off everything.
Others would hire a regular cleaning company to do this work. Some companies will accept this type of assignment, some won’t. Either way, they may not be specifically prepared to handle the special needs of cleaning a crime scene of this type.
I agree with you that the billboard is a morbid comment on our violent society… a place where we must consider the possibility that we might need Bio-clean’s services. But, frankly, most people won’t know where to turn for this service, when the unexpected occurs. I don’t know if they should simply tone down the ad’s graphics, but I suppose the need for their services is reason enough to have a billboard.
Anyway, just some thoughts on the subject from a fellow traveler.
BTW, very nice website.
Posted by: Neil Bergman at August 28, 2003 12:44 PM
I see that sign on my way home from work every day. The ironic .. and in a macabre way, kinda funny … thing is what the billboard on the back side of that bio cleaning sign says.
It’s for a jewelry store, and its slogan is “Special Occasions Optional.” That cracked me up.
But it’s still a sad, sad social commentary that such a billboard — or service, for that matter — is considered a necessity.
Posted by: Bill at September 1, 2003 09:10 PM
Dear Tim
Very interesting weblog. I am the guy who owns Bio Cleaning Services and placed the billboards within our city. I would like to explain. The whole reason for the billboard is to let the public know that there is a service like ours available to them. I admit it is over-the-the-top and believe me we stuggled with whether we should even advertise this way. However, just on Sept. 3 yesterday we had someone making calls for fours hours just to locate us. That’s a little longer than most people nowadays but we use to hear stories of people seaching for days. It’s true if this were to happen within your home or building you owned it would be your responsibility to clean up the mess left behind. The good news is that the cost is covered by your property insurance in most cases. Today if you would line up 100 people and ask them if they knew a service like this exist the greater majority say 70-80% would not have heard of or thought about a service like ours. I truly am sorry for any offence one may feel for our advertising, but believe me we sell “Care, Concern, and Peace of Mind”, and I have people tell me everyday they are so glad we were there for them. I “love my job” and my business because everyday I go out I’m helping someone in a very tragic time of their life and they are very grateful I’m there. How many people can truly say that?
Posted by: Don McNulty at September 4, 2003 10:10 AM
Wow. Thank you so much for your comments. It is nice to know that my Weblog is reaching more than just the “true Weblog readers.”
I do understand the necessity of your services — definitely more so after hearing what everyone has to say about them. I am also glad there are people like you out there who appreciate the levity of helping people in need. I am also happy to hear that you enjoy providing these services. (I admit that I was one of those people who was unaware of the responsibilities that private individuals had in these matters until this discussion began. My eyes have been opened.)
Whether a few of us may have been offended because of the advertising strategies or not, I know that those who require your services may have more peace of mind because of them.
Thank you for adding your thoughts.
Posted by: timsamoff at September 4, 2003 10:30 AM
Mr McNulty,
Do you realize that one of your billboards is less that two miles from a school where a 9 year boy was killed one year ago by his father is a tragic case of domestic violence. 1/3 to 1/2 the students of that school drive past that billboard every day on the way to and from school. As the parent of a 3rd grader in that school I find that billboard cold, callus, and a constant reminder of a tragic day we would all rather forget. Please consider removing the billboard that is on Stuart Road in Liberty just south of St James school.
Thank You.
Posted by: Jim Staszko at October 28, 2003 10:21 PM
I would have to say that I didn’t care for the billboard either. Every time I drove by it I complained. I never knew that if a crime or death happened in your home that you were responsible for the clean up. But yesterday my little brother and his wife who are still very young, only 18 and 19 years old, had a temporary roommate try to commit suicide in there apt. It was very hard for them to find this man bleeding to death in their guest bedroom. When they tried to get help, the man went into the bathroom and slit his throat. So as you can imagine there was an incredible amount of blood on everything. The police did send a preacher over to help comfort him and his wife. But the mess was left for them to clean. My brother lives four hours away and doesn’t have family near him that could help. He is to devastated to clean up this mess. I now appreciate that I have seen this billboard. Now I know that there will be someone there to help him.
I would like to thank Bio Cleaning Services of America for putting up their billboards. Thank you
Posted by: Dawn at November 19, 2003 01:53 PM
I for one am VERY happy businesses like this exist. A very close friend committed suicide today. I am the property owner and I had no idea that these services existed. I thank the good people that do this horrible job from the bottom of my heart.
Posted by: Greiving at February 5, 2004 02:37 PM
Twenty some years ago, when I was in high school, a friend used a shotgoun to end his life in his family’s home basement. His sister told me “They didn’t take all of him when they took his body away” and told of the mess left on the ceiling, walls and furnishings.
That family had to clean it up themselves. It was traumatizing and hurtful for them to have to do that.
Recently, I went into a murdered neighbor’s home to check a body for life signs and the mess was horrendous. I am so glad the family did not have to clean that huge mess themselves.
I am very grateful for this service, to know it is out there, and also for the sign that makes other’s aware of it.
Sometimes it is the unpleasantness that we must face in our lives… and if I can hire that work out – good for me!!!
Signs or no signs – glad the service is there.
Posted by: Becster at March 23, 2004 04:57 PM
People have been kept in the dark about so many things. Some on purpose (like funeral arrangements, thereby needing a mortician to ‘handle’ everything.)It is a tricky thing to get the public’s attention (did you know you could purchase caskets outside the parlor for hundreds less? See http://www.burialitems.com )
But, for the business, they too need to advertise the crime scene clean up, and going about it is going to be something that isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, no matter what.
If the biz was say, one that did autopsies, and they worked for the public, how many of you know who you would turn to if you ever needed one? Bad to only get referrals from your doctor I would think. So, advertising is expensive, no matter what, and needed. To those that are offended somewhat, please understand, biz like us – these business’ need to keep their doors open too.
Always the Best, Betty Brown,
A Team Masters
http://www.ateammasters.com
ps. I think maybe offering a contest to someone who could come up with a great way to advertise
my firm might be a good way to just let everyone know about it too. Any takers? Please email me suggestions of what your ideas are, and what you wish in exchange – coupon for something of value for maybe $60.00 or so? (need at least four takers and one winner to go forward- total five new ideas.) Becoming part of the solution would be great….....
Posted by: Betty Brown at July 7, 2004 12:53 PM
Commenting has been permanently disabled. Please use the Contact button above.===
I read an article about a “death cleaner” once, and, as I recall, if you have an incident such as they describe, the owner of the property (not the police, not the FBI, no one “official”) are responsible for cleaning it up. And in the age of blood-borne diseases, you’re dealing with hazardous waste, my friend (not to mention a gross task regardless).
So, yes, there is a market for this. And I guess every hotel chain subcontracts out with folks like this to handle “big cleanups.”
Now, I’m not sure a billboard is the best way to advertise such services, but, then again….
Posted by: deanne at August 12, 2003 11:44 AM
Yeah, Deanne, I guess it’s the whole billboard thing that gets me. Weird and creepy.
Posted by: timsamoff at August 12, 2003 01:13 PM
That is a strange billboard. I think they could have done without the cartoon “victim”. Although, I honestly didn’t even know about this industry until I saw a cleaner profiled on television. I guess they’re trying to get the word out.
Posted by: Lee at August 12, 2003 04:23 PM
I saw a doco on the discovery channel about this – people who are stuck in this situation literally do not know who to call because it is such an unusual need.
Don’t know that I would be noting down the details from a billboard on the off chance, though…
Posted by: dan at August 12, 2003 05:40 PM
I saw one of this company’s pick-up trucks with signs all over it too. I thought it was a little much to advertise this service on a vehicle (and I get paid to put signs like that on!) but the billboard is over-the-top.
Posted by: todd at August 13, 2003 09:29 PM
We were talking about that billboard when someone linked your page for the pic. I don’t know if anyone has written to you regarding this service, but while you’d think it’s the police, FBI, etc.‘s job to clean up after an investigation… it’s not.
They are only responsible for cleaning their own equipment. Consider a murder in a private citizen’s home. After the investigation, the police take away the body, their equipment and evidence, and leave behind damage to the home, damage to furniture or other belongings not considered evidence, blood on floors, walls, carpeting, etc.
Now it’s the homeowner’s problem to clean up. For some, cleaning is part of life. But cleaning the blood of a friend or loved one. Bad enough someone was hurt or killed in your home, most probably someone you were acquainted with, if not a close friend or family member. And the kicker is you have to clean their blood off everything.
Others would hire a regular cleaning company to do this work. Some companies will accept this type of assignment, some won’t. Either way, they may not be specifically prepared to handle the special needs of cleaning a crime scene of this type.
I agree with you that the billboard is a morbid comment on our violent society… a place where we must consider the possibility that we might need Bio-clean’s services. But, frankly, most people won’t know where to turn for this service, when the unexpected occurs. I don’t know if they should simply tone down the ad’s graphics, but I suppose the need for their services is reason enough to have a billboard.
Anyway, just some thoughts on the subject from a fellow traveler.
BTW, very nice website.
Posted by: Neil Bergman at August 28, 2003 12:44 PM
I see that sign on my way home from work every day. The ironic .. and in a macabre way, kinda funny … thing is what the billboard on the back side of that bio cleaning sign says.
It’s for a jewelry store, and its slogan is “Special Occasions Optional.” That cracked me up.
But it’s still a sad, sad social commentary that such a billboard — or service, for that matter — is considered a necessity.
Posted by: Bill at September 1, 2003 09:10 PM
Dear Tim
Very interesting weblog. I am the guy who owns Bio Cleaning Services and placed the billboards within our city. I would like to explain. The whole reason for the billboard is to let the public know that there is a service like ours available to them. I admit it is over-the-the-top and believe me we stuggled with whether we should even advertise this way. However, just on Sept. 3 yesterday we had someone making calls for fours hours just to locate us. That’s a little longer than most people nowadays but we use to hear stories of people seaching for days. It’s true if this were to happen within your home or building you owned it would be your responsibility to clean up the mess left behind. The good news is that the cost is covered by your property insurance in most cases. Today if you would line up 100 people and ask them if they knew a service like this exist the greater majority say 70-80% would not have heard of or thought about a service like ours. I truly am sorry for any offence one may feel for our advertising, but believe me we sell “Care, Concern, and Peace of Mind”, and I have people tell me everyday they are so glad we were there for them. I “love my job” and my business because everyday I go out I’m helping someone in a very tragic time of their life and they are very grateful I’m there. How many people can truly say that?
Posted by: Don McNulty at September 4, 2003 10:10 AM
Wow. Thank you so much for your comments. It is nice to know that my Weblog is reaching more than just the “true Weblog readers.”
I do understand the necessity of your services — definitely more so after hearing what everyone has to say about them. I am also glad there are people like you out there who appreciate the levity of helping people in need. I am also happy to hear that you enjoy providing these services. (I admit that I was one of those people who was unaware of the responsibilities that private individuals had in these matters until this discussion began. My eyes have been opened.)
Whether a few of us may have been offended because of the advertising strategies or not, I know that those who require your services may have more peace of mind because of them.
Thank you for adding your thoughts.
Posted by: timsamoff at September 4, 2003 10:30 AM
Mr McNulty,
Do you realize that one of your billboards is less that two miles from a school where a 9 year boy was killed one year ago by his father is a tragic case of domestic violence. 1/3 to 1/2 the students of that school drive past that billboard every day on the way to and from school. As the parent of a 3rd grader in that school I find that billboard cold, callus, and a constant reminder of a tragic day we would all rather forget. Please consider removing the billboard that is on Stuart Road in Liberty just south of St James school.
Thank You.
Posted by: Jim Staszko at October 28, 2003 10:21 PM
I would have to say that I didn’t care for the billboard either. Every time I drove by it I complained. I never knew that if a crime or death happened in your home that you were responsible for the clean up. But yesterday my little brother and his wife who are still very young, only 18 and 19 years old, had a temporary roommate try to commit suicide in there apt. It was very hard for them to find this man bleeding to death in their guest bedroom. When they tried to get help, the man went into the bathroom and slit his throat. So as you can imagine there was an incredible amount of blood on everything. The police did send a preacher over to help comfort him and his wife. But the mess was left for them to clean. My brother lives four hours away and doesn’t have family near him that could help. He is to devastated to clean up this mess. I now appreciate that I have seen this billboard. Now I know that there will be someone there to help him.
I would like to thank Bio Cleaning Services of America for putting up their billboards. Thank you
Posted by: Dawn at November 19, 2003 01:53 PM
I for one am VERY happy businesses like this exist. A very close friend committed suicide today. I am the property owner and I had no idea that these services existed. I thank the good people that do this horrible job from the bottom of my heart.
Posted by: Greiving at February 5, 2004 02:37 PM
Twenty some years ago, when I was in high school, a friend used a shotgoun to end his life in his family’s home basement. His sister told me “They didn’t take all of him when they took his body away” and told of the mess left on the ceiling, walls and furnishings.
That family had to clean it up themselves. It was traumatizing and hurtful for them to have to do that.
Recently, I went into a murdered neighbor’s home to check a body for life signs and the mess was horrendous. I am so glad the family did not have to clean that huge mess themselves.
I am very grateful for this service, to know it is out there, and also for the sign that makes other’s aware of it.
Sometimes it is the unpleasantness that we must face in our lives… and if I can hire that work out – good for me!!!
Signs or no signs – glad the service is there.
Posted by: Becster at March 23, 2004 04:57 PM
People have been kept in the dark about so many things. Some on purpose (like funeral arrangements, thereby needing a mortician to ‘handle’ everything.)It is a tricky thing to get the public’s attention (did you know you could purchase caskets outside the parlor for hundreds less? See http://www.burialitems.com )
But, for the business, they too need to advertise the crime scene clean up, and going about it is going to be something that isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, no matter what.
If the biz was say, one that did autopsies, and they worked for the public, how many of you know who you would turn to if you ever needed one? Bad to only get referrals from your doctor I would think. So, advertising is expensive, no matter what, and needed. To those that are offended somewhat, please understand, biz like us – these business’ need to keep their doors open too.
Always the Best, Betty Brown,
A Team Masters
http://www.ateammasters.com
ps. I think maybe offering a contest to someone who could come up with a great way to advertise
my firm might be a good way to just let everyone know about it too. Any takers? Please email me suggestions of what your ideas are, and what you wish in exchange – coupon for something of value for maybe $60.00 or so? (need at least four takers and one winner to go forward- total five new ideas.) Becoming part of the solution would be great….....
Posted by: Betty Brown at July 7, 2004 12:53 PM
timsamoff () (URL) - November 15, 2005 at 08:27 am
