What Happens When a Person Dies

When a person dies, their body typically goes through several processes. If they do not have a will, their property will be distributed according to state laws. The deceased may be buried in a grave, which is a space dug into the ground where the body is placed. A funeral is a ceremony held to honor the life of the deceased and may take place at a funeral home. A memorial is a way to remember the person who has passed away and may include a service or gathering to share memories and pay respects.

After we pass away, what happens to our body?

Life always includes death. Whilst we are all aware that we shall eventually leave this planet, have you ever wondered what happens to our bodies when we pass away? The physiological changes that take place after death and what happens to our bodies in the hours, days, and weeks that follow will be discussed in this blog.

The Dying Moment

The time when the heart stops beating and the breathing stops is known as the moment of death. The body now goes into a stage of quick physiological changes. The body's temperature starts to decrease, the heart stops pumping blood, and the brain stops working. Depending on the cause of death, the time it takes for these changes to take place can vary, although it often only takes a few minutes.

Mortis Algor

The process of algor mortis refers to the decline in body temperature that occurs after death. Until the body temperature reaches the temperature of the surrounding environment, it typically lowers by around 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit every hour. As a result, if someone passes away in a cold room rather than a warm one, their body will cool down more quickly.

Mortis Rigours

The stiffening of the body's muscles after death is known as rigour mortis. The reason for this is because the brain's messages telling the muscles to relax are no longer reaching them. Between 2 to 6 hours of a person's passing, rigour mortis typically starts to manifest and reaches its stiffest stage within 12 to 24 hours. After that, the stiffness will progressively go away over the following 36 to 48 hours.

Lividity

Blood pooling in the lowest areas of the body after death is referred to as lividity, livor mortis, or post-mortem lividity. Because the heart is no longer pumping blood throughout the body, this happens. Typically, between 30 to 2 hours of a person's passing, lividity starts to show up and fixes itself within 8 to 12 hours. As a result, if someone passes away while resting on their back, their back and buttocks would be covered with blood.

Decomposition

The body starts to decay after death. This is a normal process that takes place as the body's cells deteriorate and release enzymes that cause the tissues to disintegrate. Temperature, humidity, and the presence of bacteria are just a few of the variables that might affect the rate of decomposition. Generally speaking, the body will start to decompose a few days to a week following death.

Autolysis

After death, the body's own enzymes begin the process of destroying the tissues through autolysis. Because the cells are no longer receiving oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream, this process takes place. Within a few hours of death, autolysis typically starts and lasts for several days.

Putrefaction

After someone has died, the tissues begin to decompose through a process called putrefaction. This procedure causes the body to leak gases and smell bad. Usually starting a few days after death, putrefaction might last for several weeks.

Mummification

Rarely, the body may be mummified after passing away. This happens when the body is subjected to conditions of severe dryness, such as those seen in a desert. The body's tissues dry out when the body's moisture is taken away, which is a natural process known as mummification.