Do not touch anything when you come across a dead body, according to FindLaw. If you notice a weapon or believe a crime was committed, it’s particularly important that you leave everything as is and do not move or reposition the corpse. Investigators need as much evidence as possible in these situations so they can apprehend a suspect. According to Crime Scene Investigator Network, officers and others consider even the tiniest details, such as whether the lights are turned on or off and what the floor or ground looks like around the body.

Even from an investigative stand point, the first officer who arrives at a crime scene is instructed to make visual examinations and not alter the body’s position. Because it’s critical that evidence is preserved, only one person at a time is allowed to approach a body during a criminal investigation. So you can imagine the repercussions if you stumble upon a dead body and start moving things around. It can complicate the investigation and cause problems for the authorities.

Often people who find themselves in uncomfortable situations end up making jokes or try to provide some levity to the situation. Humor is a normal response, even when the situation seems grave, no pun intended. The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine points out that humor is a great “safety valve,” and people who deal with crime scenes regularly during their work week often turn to graveyard humor to alleviate the stress. If you stumble across a dead body, you too may find yourself joking about the circumstances.

Graveyard humor is acceptable as long as it’s not too personal and isn’t disrespectful to the deceased. It’s okay, and not uncommon, to make a lighthearted joke at a crime scene. According to the report, “Humor Functions Within Crime Scene Investigations,” published in Sage Journals, “Humor served to reduce stress so that job tasks could be completed, and it was also used as a barometer of the investigators’ negotiation of the emotional burdens of such work.”

However, it’s important to make sure the jokes are not too inappropriate, because the person telling it may regret it for a long time afterwards.

While you may not be legally obligated in all states to contact authorities if you find a dead body, most have laws in place that require you to do so within a certain period of time, according to Vice. This is especially true if the body you find is part of a crime scene. Some loopholes do exist, however, depending on where you live. John Hummel, the Deschutes County district attorney in Oregon, told Vice that in his state, “If you discover a corpse, you don’t have to do anything. Some people might say that that’s wrong, that the law should require that, but the law doesn’t require that.”

Still, most experts recommend calling 911 immediately after you find a body, according to FindLaw. Typically, the operator who answers your call will tell you what to do and will determine if there are any actions you need to take before help arrives. In 2011, a Michigan state senator drew up a bill that would fine people for not reporting a dead body. The person could face up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Tonya Schuitmaker, the senator who introduced the bill, told Vice, “It’s unfortunate that you have to have such a law because you think it’s common sense.”

After you call 911 you are expected to stick around until authorities arrive, according to FindLaw. Once they arrive on the scene, you will need to give them a statement of the events leading up to the discovery of the body and any other type of information you may have. You will be met by police, paramedics, and a medical examiner. They will be on scene to confirm the death and gather any evidence if it’s required.

A man named Trevor Saunders discovered the body of a woman named Gemma Adams, the victim of a serial killer, in 2006 while working as a volunteer fisheries warden in England. He told The Guardian, “I was there all day. I was the only member of the public allowed at the spot, because I had to show people around the lakes and the area. They used my caravan as an office. It was comforting to be part of the investigation, and it was night-time before they took Gemma away. It was a relief to me that she was now safe and dry.”

It is possible to anonymously report a death, but that can cause other types of complications. You may inadvertently become a suspect in the investigation. After you speak to the medical team, they will help you determine what you need to do next, according to Legal Voice. This is helpful because it can be stressful when you find a body, and if you receive a directive it’s easier than having to figure things out by yourself.

If the unexpected death involves a loved one, it can be a challenge to clean up the area in which the deceased passed away, according to Aftermath. In addition to scrubbing the floor and disposing of unwanted items in the vicinity, you may also have to deal with the remnants of harmful bacteria caused by decomposition. Keep in mind that porous material, such as carpet, concrete, drywall, and wood, absorbs body fluids. These materials cannot simply be cleaned but instead must be handled by a bioremediation company.

Bloodborne pathogens are also a concern if the deceased had certain health issues. In order to clean, disinfect, and sanitize areas exposed to decomposition, home cleaning products are not going to work. Unfortunately, tiny amounts of biological material can create a major problem and make a home or apartment uninhabitable. Look for a company that specializes in decomposition and biohazard cleanup. That way you know the area will be cleaned up properly and will be safe to use. Plus, these companies are very discrete and sensitive to your needs, according to the Bereavement Advice Centre.