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What is the name of the corpse of an animal? What happens to the body after death (7 photos)

The “Friday corpse” section has not been updated for a long time. Today I present to your kind attention the artist, illustrator and creator of many beautiful prints - Yeitaka Kobayashi. A professional artist, the son of a fishmonger, granted the dignity of a samurai (albeit nominal), while still a very young man, he became the author of many magnificent caricatures, series of engravings with spirits, ghosts and children's amusements, as well as no less famous series of engravings with absolutely non-childish amusements. After his master was killed, the maestro left his post and went to travel throughout Japan, studying painting techniques of the Chinese and European schools.
One of the series of engravings widely known on the Internet is the reason for my post today; this series is called “The Body of a Beautiful Courtesan in 9 Stages of Decomposition” created by the master in 1870. images from which are accompanied by my humble comments.
So decomposition is the process by which complexly organized organic matter is transformed into simpler substances.
The process of decomposition begins soon after death and, in general, undergoes a number of more or less consistent and typical processes, the severity and duration of which depends on many different factors associated both with the characteristics of the decomposing body itself and with the characteristics of the environment in which this very body resides.

Decomposition begins soon after the heart stops beating, the blood moves under the influence of gravity to the underlying areas of the body, where it causes the appearance of large areas of red or blue-violet color - the so-called corpse spots, the vessels in the overlying areas of the body become empty and the skin becomes lifeless pale and waxy appearance. In the period from 3 to 6 hours, the muscles become denser and lose the ability to relax, as if “remembering” the position in which the person was before death, this is called rigor mortis. Also, immediately after death, the body stops producing heat and the body temperature is equalized with the ambient temperature, that is, as a rule, it cools, the water begins to evaporate and the corpse dries out somewhat, drying is especially noticeable on the mucous membranes, for example, the oral mucosa, conjunctiva and cornea of ​​the eyes. , as well as the skin, especially in places where there is precipitation. The skin on your fingertips also noticeably dries out, making your nails appear longer.

After the heart has stopped, the cells of the body stop receiving oxygen and nutrients, eliminating carbon dioxide, and at different periods of time (the duration of which depends on the individual sensitivity of the tissue to oxygen starvation) from the moment the blood circulation stops, they begin to die. Cells of the cerebral cortex die on average 5 minutes after cardiac arrest, cardiac muscle - within 1.5 -2 hours, kidneys and liver - 3-4 hours, muscle tissue and skin can remain viable up to 6 hours, bone tissue is the most inert to absence oxygen tissue and remains viable for up to several days. After the cell has died, all its contents, including intracellular enzymes, fall out of its cytoplasm and begin to digest everything around, including the very remains of its former owner, this process is called autolysis, that is, self-digestion; those organs and tissues that are engaged in digestion professionally, in their cytoplasm there is a heap of enzymes that digest everything, primarily such organs include the pancreas and stomach. After the remaining oxygen is “eaten up” by dying cells and oxygen-consuming bacteria, conditions are simply ideal for bacteria that prefer the absence of oxygen - anaerobic bacteria, there are especially many of them in the large intestine; they, sensing the will, begin to get out of the organs that restrained their reproduction and settlement during human life. the entire body, gobble up free deliciousness from self-digested cells, frantically multiply and release gases. Blood hemoglobin, instead of oxygen, attaches sulfur compounds released by bacteria and turns into sulfhemoglobin - a hemoglobin compound that has a dirty green color, which gives the corpse a characteristic zombie color.

Finally, there is so much gas that the corpse begins to literally swell, the abdomen swells first (and in men, the scrotum), in women, uterine inversion may occur, and both may experience intestinal prolapse; the phenomenon of posthumous birth is associated with the same effect. The eyes protrude from the sockets, and the tongue protrudes from the mouth. Finally, the swelling reaches the point where the skin begins to burst in some places, and putrefactive gases begin to be released into the environment. Sometimes the pressure of putrefactive gases reaches such significant values ​​that the corpse literally explodes.

Further decay proceeds no less actively under favorable conditions in the warm season, the corpse is actively populated by insect larvae, primarily flies.
Thanks to the efforts of insects, the corpse begins to actively lose its biological mass. The first place a corpse is colonized by larvae is in those areas where it is easiest for the tender larvae to get to tasty food, such areas include the mouth, eyes and wounds, if any. Thanks to more and more defects in the skin, oxygen-loving bacteria come to life again and also join in the feast.

Thus, the putrefactive liquefaction of the tissues continues and the corpse releases gaseous decomposition products in large quantities, usually this is the most fetid period; during this period, the dead are especially often found precisely by smell. At one fine moment, the larvae realize that they’ve had enough of eating, it’s time to pupate, they fall off the table and crawl away from the body to perform their pathomorphoses and set up their cozy puparia.

Arthropods are often joined by lovers of carrion and a higher nomenclature order, but they do this at various stages and in a completely unorganized manner, to the great chagrin of forensic experts.

Here, active decay stops, and much more protracted processes begin, capable of interest only a dry, scientifically experienced brain. The flowers and grass under the corpse die without finding enough strength in the depths of their tender floral soul to endure all this disgrace that stretches for months, depending on the conditions. But, the soil in the place where the corpse lies is richly fertilized with decay products useful for the biosphere, forming a so-called “decomposition island” (cadaver decomposition island, forgive me my clumsy translation) - a kind of fertile oasis, which after about 80 days is hidden by lush vegetation a half-rotted corpse signaling the beginning of the “dry” stage of decomposition.

Among the last of the soft tissues, ligaments and tendons decompose and, if the cheerful fluffies did not contribute to this earlier, the corpse disintegrates into individual bones, the teeth, the lower jaw and the diaphyses of long tubular bones are preserved the longest of all the hard tissues, well, and if this happens, that they too have decomposed, then if a person has not written a single line in his favorite zheshechka (well, or in someone else’s, for a change), he immediately goes into oblivion.

Good night, dear readers!

What happens to the body in the coffin after it is buried? This question is of interest not only to those who are interested in mysticism and anatomy. Almost every person on the planet often thinks about this. A large number of myths and interesting facts that few people know are associated with the burial process and the further development of the body. In our article you can find information that will allow you to learn more about what happens to the corpse throughout the time it is underground and above it.

General information about processes

Death is a natural process that, unfortunately, cannot yet be prevented. Today, how the body decomposes in a coffin is known only to those who have a medical education. However, detailed information about this process is also of interest to many curious people. It is worth noting that various processes occur in a corpse immediately after death. These include temperature changes and oxygen deprivation. Already a few minutes after death, organs and cells begin to deteriorate.

Many people torment themselves with the thought of what happens in the coffin with the body. Decomposition, depending on many factors, can proceed in completely different ways. There are more than five processes that, due to certain circumstances, occur in a particular body. Surprisingly, the cadaverous smell is often artificially created by specialized organizations. This is necessary for training detection dogs.

Rotting and mummification

In our article you can find detailed information about what happens in a coffin with a human body after death. As we said earlier, there are more than five processes that can take place in a given corpse, depending on a wide variety of factors. The most well-known forms of body development after burial are rotting and mummification. Almost everyone has heard about these processes.

Rotting is a labor-intensive process that occurs in the body. As a rule, it begins on the third day after death. Simultaneously with decay, the formation of a whole list of gases begins. These include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and many others. It is for this reason that the corpse gives off an unpleasant odor. Depending on the time of year, the body may decompose slowly or quickly. At air temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, rotting of a corpse occurs in the shortest possible time. If the body was not buried, its decomposition time on the surface of the earth is 3-4 months. When the rotting process comes to an end, only the bones remain from the corpse, and everything else turns into a mushy mass and eventually disappears completely. It is worth noting that everything that is released at this stage is absorbed by the soil. Thanks to this, it becomes unusually fertile.

What happens to a body in a coffin after death if it undergoes mummification? With this process, the corpse dries out completely. An interesting fact is that during mummification, the initial weight of the body decreases tenfold. As a rule, this process takes place in those corpses that have been in conditions of low humidity for a long time. Such places include an attic or, for example, sandy soil. A mummified corpse can be preserved for quite a long time.

There are only a small number of people who know what happens in a coffin with a human body after death. Nevertheless, this process interests many. In our article you can find out more detailed information about how the body develops after death.

Peat tanning and fat wax formation

The process of fat wax formation occurs if the corpse is buried in wet soil or has been in water for a long time. As a result, the body is covered with a white greasy layer, which has a specific and unpleasant odor. Often this process is also called saponification.

Not everyone knows what happens to a person’s body after death in a coffin after 2 months if he is buried in excessively wet soil. After 60 days, the corpse begins to crumble and has a white-yellow tint. If a person’s body is buried in peat soil or located in a swamp, the skin becomes dense and rough. It is worth noting that when tanned, the corpse acquires a brown tint, and the size of the internal organs is significantly reduced. Over time, the bones become soft and resemble cartilage in consistency. By the way, peat tanning can also occur due to the influence of certain factors. These include the temperature of the water and the presence of various microelements and chemicals in it.

The impact of living organisms on a human corpse

In addition to all the above factors, the human body can be destroyed by exposure to animals, insects and birds. Most likely, the body of the deceased is destroyed by fly larvae. Surprisingly, they are capable of completely destroying a corpse in just two months.

Other living organisms that consume the body of a deceased person are ants, cockroaches and carrion eaters. Termites are capable of turning a body into a skeleton in two months. It is no secret that in addition to insects, the human body can be eaten by dogs, wolves, foxes and other predatory animals. In a pond, the corpse is destroyed by fish, beetles, crayfish and other aquatic inhabitants.

Explosive coffins

Not everyone knows what happens to the person in the coffin. As we said earlier, some time after burial, various changes begin to occur with the body. Within a few hours, the corpse begins to release substances, including various gases. If the coffin was not buried, but was placed in a crypt, it may explode. Many cases have been recorded when relatives came to visit the deceased, and he detonated. However, this can only happen if the coffin is hermetically sealed and not placed in the ground. We strongly recommend that you be careful when visiting the crypts.

Self-destruction

What happens to the body in the coffin after death some time later? This question is asked not only by doctors and criminologists, but also by ordinary people. Surprisingly, over a period of time the body absorbs itself. The thing is that in any organism there are millions of a wide variety of bacteria that do not cause any harm during life. First of all, after death, they completely destroy the brain and liver. This is due to the fact that these organs contain the largest amount of water. After this, the bacteria gradually destroy everything else. It is this process that is associated with the change in color of the skin of the deceased. Once the corpse enters the rigor stage, it becomes completely filled with bacteria. The time and process of self-destruction may differ depending on the set of microbes in a particular organism.

It is worth noting that some bacteria can only be present in the body at a certain stage of decomposition and putrefaction. Surprisingly, under the influence of microorganisms, the tissues of the deceased turn into gases, salts and various substances. By the way, all these microelements have a beneficial effect on the composition of the soil.

Larvae

In our article you can find out what happens to the body in the coffin after exposure to the larvae. As we said earlier, in addition to bacteria and other microorganisms, tissues and internal organs are also consumed by insects, animals and birds.

After the self-destruction stage ends, the larvae begin to destroy the corpse. Surprisingly, a female fly is capable of laying about 250 eggs at a time. It is no secret that the body of the deceased emits a pungent and unpleasant odor. It attracts insects that lay large numbers of eggs on the body. Within a day they turn into larvae. Surprisingly, just three flies can devour a corpse with the same speed as a tiger or lion.

The location of certain soil elements or certain microorganisms in the body allows forensic scientists to find out where a person died or was killed. They also claim that soon the bacterial set of a corpse may become a new “weapon” for solving many crimes.

Soul of man

Some people think they know what happens to the body in the coffin. They claim that after some time the soul leaves the body of the deceased, and when dying, a person sees everything that the living do not see. They also believe that the first three days after death are the hardest for the deceased. The thing is that for 72 hours the soul is still near the body and is trying to return back. She leaves as soon as she sees the face and body change. After this happens, the soul rushes from home to grave for seven days. In addition, she mourns her body.

At the end of seven days the soul goes to a place of peace. After this, she only occasionally lowers herself to the ground to look at her body. Some believe that they know what happens to the body and soul in the coffin. However, it is impossible to prove that the spirit actually leaves the flesh.

Diamond production

It is quite difficult to bear the death of a loved one. It is even difficult for some to imagine what happens in the coffin with the body. Often people cremate their deceased relatives or even build a crypt for them right in the yard. Recently, a technology invented by American specialists has been gaining particular popularity. Surprisingly, they create diamonds from the ashes and hair of a deceased person. American experts believe that this is an excellent way to preserve the memory of the deceased. Today, similar technology is used all over the world. As we said earlier, diamonds can also be made from the hair of the deceased. Today this procedure is extremely popular. Few people know, but quite recently a company that produces such jewelry was ordered to make diamonds from Michael Jackson’s hair.

It is worth noting that gems can be created from dust due to the fact that it contains carbon dioxide. The cost of such a service in America is 30 thousand dollars. Many believe that one should not torment oneself with the thought of what happens in the coffin with the body. They argue that it is better to preserve only good memories of the deceased.

Love after death

Everyone deals with the death of a loved one completely differently. There are many cases where people did not bury the deceased, but left him in their house, hiding it. It is known that the man’s wife died, but he did not want to bury her body because he could not let her go because of his great love. Surprisingly, he ordered a transparent coffin and placed his beloved in it, after pouring a special liquid into it. He then built a coffee table out of the coffin.

Another case of strange treatment of a corpse occurred in America. There the woman decided to make a stuffed animal of her husband. She set aside an entire room in the basement for the corpse. There she placed furniture and her husband’s favorite things. She sat the corpse on a chair. The woman often visited him, told him how her day went and asked for advice.

There used to be a kind of tradition. If a person did not find a partner during his lifetime, then he was married after death. It was believed that if this is not done, the soul of the deceased will not find a place for itself and will wander forever.

This tradition existed in Russia as well. If a girl died unmarried, she was dressed in a wedding dress and a guy was chosen to follow the coffin to burial. It was believed that thanks to this the soul would find peace. It is worth noting that in some localities this tradition is still popular today.

Necrophilia was common in ancient Egypt. This is not accidental, because the Egyptians believed the myths according to which she impregnated herself with the help of the corpse of Osiris.

Let's sum it up

Death is a natural process. A large number of myths, guesses and interesting facts are associated with it. It's no secret that coping with the loss of a loved one is quite difficult. Because of this, some people become depressed and do not make contact with society. There are many cases where people begin to suffer from a mental disorder. As a rule, they do not bury their relatives, but leave them in the house, hiding it from neighbors and friends. In our article you found out what happens to the body in the coffin. The photos that we have selected will allow you to find out what happens to a person after death.

The topic of what happens to the human body after death is fraught with many interesting facts and is shrouded in myths and legends. What actually happens to the body's tissues when a person dies? And is the process of decomposition so terrible, which, judging by the corresponding photos and videos, is not a sight for the faint of heart.

Stages of death

Death is the natural and inevitable end of the life of any living creature. This process does not happen all at once; it includes a number of successive stages. Death is expressed in the cessation of blood flow, the cessation of the nervous and respiratory systems, and the extinction of mental reactions.

Medicine distinguishes the stages of dying:


It is impossible to determine exactly how long it takes a person to die, since all processes are strictly individual, their duration depends on the reason for the end of life. So, for some, these stages are completed within a few minutes, for others they take long weeks and even months.

What does a corpse look like?

What happens to the body of a deceased person in the first minutes and hours after death is familiar to people who have observed these changes. The appearance of the deceased and the transition from one state to another depend on the natural chemical reactions of the body, which continue after the extinction of vital functions, as well as environmental conditions.

Drying

It is observed in previously moistened areas: mucous membranes of the lips, genitals, cornea, as well as places of wounds, abrasions and other skin damage.

The higher the air temperature and the humidity surrounding the corpse, the faster the process. The cornea of ​​the eye becomes cloudy, yellow-brown “Larche spots” appear on the white membranes.

Cadaveric drying allows us to assess the presence of intravital damage to the body.

Rigor

The decrease and subsequent complete disappearance of adenosine triphosphoric acid, a substance formed as a result of metabolic processes, is considered the main reason why the body of the deceased becomes numb. When internal organs stop functioning, metabolism fades and the concentration of various compounds decreases.

The body assumes a pose characterized by the upper limbs bent at the elbows and the lower and semi-clasped hands at the hip and knee joints. Rigor mortis is recognized as definitive evidence of death.

The active stage begins 2-3 hours after biological death and ends after 48 hours. Processes accelerate when exposed to high temperatures.

At this stage, a decrease in body temperature occurs. How quickly a corpse cools depends on the environment - during the first 6 hours the rate decreases by 1 degree per hour, then by a degree every 1.5-2 hours.

If the deceased is pregnant, a “coffin birth” is possible, when the uterus pushes out the fetus.

Cadaveric spots

They are ordinary hematomas or bruises, as they are clots of dried blood. When biological fluid stops flowing through the vessels, it settles in nearby soft tissues. Under the influence of gravity, it descends to an area closer to the surface on which the body of the deceased or deceased lies.

Thanks to this physical feature, criminologists can determine how a person died, even if the dead body was moved to another place.

Smell

In the first minutes and hours after death, the only unpleasant odors that will emanate from the deceased may be the smell of involuntary bowel movements.

After a few days or hours, if the dead body has not been refrigerated, a characteristic cadaveric or decomposing odor develops. Its reason lies in chemical processes - the rotting of internal organs causes many gases to accumulate in the body: ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and others, which create a characteristic “aroma”.

Facial changes

Loss of muscle tone and relaxation are the reasons for the disappearance of fine wrinkles from the skin, while deep ones are less visible.

The face takes on a neutral expression, similar to a mask - traces of pain and torment or joyful bliss disappear, the deceased looks calm and peaceful.

Sexual arousal

An erection in men is a common occurrence in the first minutes after death. Its occurrence is explained by the law of gravity - blood tends to the lower parts of the body and does not return to the heart, its accumulation occurs in the soft tissues of the body, including the reproductive organ.

Emptying the bowel and bladder

Natural biological processes arise due to loss of tone in the muscles of the body. As a result, the sphincter and urethra relax. It is clear that such a phenomenon requires one of the very first and obligatory rituals of the deceased - ablution.

Weight

In the course of many medical studies, it was possible to establish that a person’s weight changes immediately after death - the corpse weighs 21 grams less. There is no scientific explanation for this, so it is generally accepted that this is the weight of the soul of the deceased, which left the mortal body for eternal life.

How the body decomposes

The body continues to decompose for many years after death, but these stages mainly occur after the funeral and are inaccessible to the attention of ordinary people. However, thanks to medical research, all stages of decomposition are described in detail in specialized literature, which makes it possible to imagine what a decomposing corpse looks like a month or years after death.

Like the stages of death, the decomposition processes of each deceased person have individual characteristics and depend on the factors that led to death.

Autolysis (Self-absorption)

Decomposition begins within the first minutes after the soul leaves the body, but the process becomes noticeable only after a few hours. Moreover, the higher the ambient temperature and humidity in it, the faster these changes occur.

The first stage is drying. Thin layers of the epidermis are exposed to it: mucous membranes, eyeballs, fingertips and others. The skin of these areas turns yellow and thins, then thickens and becomes like parchment paper.

The second stage is direct autolysis. It is characterized by the breakdown of cells of internal organs caused by the activation of their own enzymes. At this stage, the tissues become soft and liquid, which is why the expression “the corpse is dripping.”

The organs that produce these enzymes and therefore have the largest reserves are the first to undergo changes:

  • kidneys;
  • adrenal glands;
  • pancreas;
  • liver;
  • spleen;
  • organs of the digestive system.

It is difficult to predict how long it will take to complete the autolysis cycle. It depends:

  • on the temperature at which the corpse is stored - the lower it is, the longer it takes for the tissues to digest themselves;
  • on the amount of pathogenic microflora that is involved in the process of absorption of body cells.

Rotting

This is the late post-mortem stage of decomposition, occurring on average after three days and lasting quite a long time. It is from this moment that a specific corpse smell arises, and the body itself swells from the putrefactive gases overwhelming it.

If human remains have not been buried, and the temperature surrounding them is high, the corpse rots quite quickly - after 3-4 months only the skeleton remains. Cold can slow down these processes, and freezing can stop them. The simple answer to the question is where do such rotten masses go - they are absorbed into the soil, which subsequently makes it fertile.

Smoldering

Putrefactive processes are characteristic of corpses in the grave and occur without the participation of oxygen. Remains that have to decompose on the surface of the earth are subject to another biological process - decay. Moreover, such decomposition occurs faster, since there are fewer chemical compounds in the tissues and at the same time they are less toxic than those that fill a corpse rotting underground.

The reason for the differences is simple - under the influence of oxygen, water evaporates faster from tissues and conditions arise for the growth of mold and the development of invertebrates, which literally “eat away” the soft tissues, as a result of which the decomposed corpse becomes a clean skeleton.

Saponification

This process is typical for remains buried in soil with high humidity, in water, and in places where there is no access to oxygen. This leads to peeling of the skin (maceration), moisture penetrates the body and washes out blood and a number of various substances, after which saponification of fats occurs. As a result of chemical reactions, special soaps are formed, which form the basis of fat wax - a solid mass, both similar to soap and cottage cheese.

Fat wax acts on the principle of a preservative: although such corpses do not have internal organs (they are more like a slimy shapeless mass), the appearance of the body is preserved almost completely.

It easily reveals traces of injuries and damage that led to death: opening of veins, gunshot wounds, strangulation and others. It is for this feature that saponification is valued by those who work in forensic medical examination bodies - pathologists and criminologists.

Mummification

At its core, it is the drying out of human remains. For the process to take place correctly and fully, a dry environment, high temperature and good ventilation of the corpse are required.

At the end of mummification, which can last from several weeks in children and up to six months in adults, body height and weight decrease, soft tissues become dense and wrinkled (which indicates a lack of moisture in them), and the skin acquires a brownish-brown tint.

Activities of living organisms

The body of each person is inhabited by several million microorganisms, the vital activity of which does not depend on whether he is alive or not. After the cessation of biological processes in the body, the immune defense also disappears, making it easier for fungi, bacteria and other flora to move through the internal organs.

This activity allows the self-absorption process to proceed faster, especially if environmental conditions are favorable for their growth.

Corpse sounds

These phenomena are characteristic of remains that have entered the stage of decay, as they arise as a result of the release of gases filling the body, and these are formed under the influence of the activity of microorganisms.

In the first days after death, the sphincter and trachea usually become the pathways for the release of volatile substances, so the deceased is characterized by the presence of wheezing, whistles and groans, which serve as a reason for the creation of terrible myths.

Bloating

Another phenomenon caused by the accumulation of volatile compounds and decomposing internal organs. Since most gases accumulate in the intestines, it is the stomach that swells first, and only after that the process spreads to the rest of the members.

The skin loses color, becomes covered in blisters, and rotted insides in the form of a jelly-like liquid begin to leak from the natural orifices of the body.

Hair and nails

There is an opinion that keratinized integuments continue to grow even after the completion of biological processes. And although it is erroneous, it is impossible to say that their length does not increase. The fact is that during drying - the very first stage of decomposition, the skin becomes noticeably thinner and the root of the hair or nail is pulled out and exposed, which creates a deceptive impression of growth.

Bones

Bone tissue is the strongest and least susceptible to destruction part of the human body. Bones do not decompose for many years, do not rot or decay - even the smallest and thinnest of them take centuries to turn into dust.

Skeletonization of a corpse in a coffin takes up to 30 years, in the ground it happens faster (in 2-4 years). Large and wide bones remain virtually unchanged.

Soil fertilization

During the process of decomposition, several thousand useful components, minerals, micro- and macroelements, chemical and biological compounds are released from the remains of living matter, which are absorbed into the soil and become an excellent fertilizer for it.

The process has a positive effect on the overall ecological system of the region where the cemeteries are located, and explains the custom of some ancient tribes of burying the dead at the edges of pastures and vegetable gardens.

What happens to the deceased after death

If the physiological and biological components of death are described in some detail both in specialized medical literature and by individuals interested in the occult, who love corpses and are interested in their various states, then the question of the soul or vital energy, the wandering mind, subsequent reincarnation and other phenomena is the same to the end and has not been explored.

Not a single living person has found answers to the questions of whether there is life after death, what a dying or already dead person feels, how real the other world is.

In any case, the body of the deceased must undergo its own special ritual, and his soul is remembered by family and friends. The first commemoration is held 9 days later, or no later than 10 days from the moment of death, again - on the 40th day, and the third - on the anniversary of the death.

After 40 days

Analysis of remains, including those from a hidden grave, can help determine the date of a person's death. For example, studies have shown that the maximum concentration of phospholipids in the fluid flowing from the body is observed 40 days after death, and nitrogen and phosphorus - after 72 and 100 days, respectively.

After 60 days, the corpse begins to crumble, if buried in moist soil, and acquires a whitish-yellow color. Staying the body in peat soil and swamp makes the skin dense and rough, bones become soft over time, resembling cartilage tissue.

According to Orthodox beliefs, in 40 days the soul of the deceased ends earthly ordeals and goes to the afterlife.

What it will be will be decided by the Supreme Court, not the last argument of which will be the fact of how the burial was carried out. So, before burying the coffin, a service is read over the deceased, during which the remission of all his earthly sins occurs.

In a year

At this time, the processes of decomposition of the body continue: the remaining soft tissues, exposing the skeleton. It is typical that a year after death the cadaveric smell is no longer present. This means that the rotting process is complete. The remains of tissues smolder, releasing nitrogen and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

During this period, the presence of tendons, dry and dense areas of the body can still be observed. Next, a long process of mineralization will begin (up to 30 years), as a result of which the person will be left with bones that are not connected to each other.

The year in Orthodoxy is marked by the final transition of the soul of the deceased to Heaven or Hell and union with previously deceased relatives and friends. It is the first anniversary that is considered the new birth of the soul for eternal life, so the wake is held surrounded by close relatives and all the people dear to the deceased.

Burial methods

Each religion has its own canons and customs, according to which ceremonies of veneration and remembrance of the deceased are held on certain days, as well as the peculiarities of burying the body.

Thus, in Christianity, it is customary to bury the dead in a coffin or immerse them in crypts, in Islam - to wrap them in a shroud and place them in damp earth, in Hinduism and Buddhism, the dead are burned, because they believe that the soul is able to be reborn and return in a new body, and in Some Indian tribes still maintain the custom of eating the dead.

The list of methods is long, and recently some quite unusual ones have been encountered: dissolving the body in special chemical compounds or hanging it in the air for mummification. But two are most popular in our country: burial in a coffin and cremation.

Few even religious people know why they bury dead people in coffins. According to beliefs, the very concept of “deceased” or “deceased” means one who has fallen asleep, resting, that is, one who temporarily rests in anticipation of the re-coming of Christ and the subsequent resurrection.

That is why the body of the deceased is placed in a coffin, which is designed to preserve it until the Second Coming. The key features are placing the pillow under the head and placing it in the ground facing east, as this is where the Savior will appear.

If we consider the burial process from a biological point of view, the wooden box in which the deceased is placed is also considered a natural material, and when the coffin rots, additional fertilizer is formed, which improves the ecosystem.

Cremation is a process called burning a body. It is widespread because it has several advantages:

  • saving space, since the urn with ashes takes up less space than a coffin;
  • costs for cremation are lower than for a classic funeral;
  • If the urn with the ashes of the deceased is placed at home, then a place in the cemetery is not required.

The only caveat is that such deceased people should not hope for the subsequent Resurrection and the acquisition of Eternal Life in Orthodoxy, since the church does not welcome and even condemns cremation.

Another pressing question is how many days after the dead are buried. Everything here is individual and depends on the causes and circumstances of the death itself. If law enforcement agencies have no questions about the occurrence of a fatal outcome, it is better to carry out the burial on the second day after death, since decay processes begin later, the corpse turns black or blue, becomes covered in spots, and smells bad.

If burial is temporarily impossible for some reason, the body should be placed in the cold. Thus, a special temperature in the morgue and treatment of the corpse with appropriate chemicals will help keep it in optimal condition for a long time. Some relatives try to stop the decomposition by using dry ice or placing the deceased in the cold, which can be done, but only if the funeral is postponed for 1-2 days.

In some cases, most often requiring additional forensic research or reburial, the corpse is exhumed.

The removal of the body is usually carried out with special permission and compliance with Orthodox customs and canons. Exhumed bodies are quickly redirected to the morgue or to a subsequent burial site

Soon after death, postmortem changes develop in the corpse. Visible to the naked eye, they include lack of breathing and corneas, clouding and drying of the corneas, chilling and rigor, cadaveric spots and decomposition.

Cooling occurs due to the cessation of heat generation and continues until it becomes equal to the ambient temperature. The hands and feet become cold after 1-2 hours, the stomach after 10-12 hours. Clouding and drying of the corneas is associated with the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the body.

Rigor mortis occurs 2-5 hours after death and is expressed in contraction and hardening of the muscles - first the chewing muscles, then the muscles of the upper extremities, trunk and lower extremities. The nature of this phenomenon has not been fully elucidated: apparently, rigor is associated with the breakdown of glycogen in the muscles, the formation of lactic acid and the subsequent swelling of myofibril colloids.

After 3-5 days, rigor mortis “resolves,” that is, it disappears in the same order as it appeared. The reason for the "resolution" is also not clear: it is assumed that it is associated with excess accumulation of lactic acid.

Cadaveric spots can be early (hypostasis) and late (imbibition); they arise as a result of contraction of the arteries, when the blood passes into the veins and flows due to gravity into the underlying parts of the body. The location of cadaveric spots depends on the position in which the person was at the time of death. Hypostasis (see) occurs after 3-6 hours. after death, they have a dark purple color and turn pale when pressure is applied to them (unlike bruises). When the skin is cut in the hypostasis area, blood oozes out from the congested veins. Hypostases can move when the position of the corpse changes. Imbibition (see) develops after about 7 hours, when hemoglobin passes into plasma (hemolysis), with which it penetrates through the wall of blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, giving them a dirty brown color.

Cadaveric decomposition is the breakdown of tissue as a result of the enzymatic action of microbes; begins with self-digestion (autolysis), associated with the action of their own on tissues. Under the influence of putrefactive bacteria in the intestines, putrefaction occurs. Signs of decomposition are a putrid odor, a dirty greenish color of the skin of the abdomen and other parts. With pronounced decomposition of the corpse, the soft tissues melt and turn into a dirty-gray fetid mass, often permeated with gas bubbles (the so-called cadaveric), giving the tissues a foamy appearance. The rate of decomposition depends on the conditions in which the corpse is located and the causes of death. The corpse decomposes faster in warm and humid environment; in a dry environment, desiccation may occur - the so-called mummification (see). The decomposition of the corpse accelerates after death from septic diseases. On average, complete tissue breakdown takes about two years. usually performed no earlier than 2 hours from the moment of death, but due to the expansion of scientific research and the study of processes, the time is not currently regulated by orders of the Ministry of Health, so an autopsy can be performed at any time after biological death is declared. For scientific and pedagogical purposes, it is permissible to reduce this period, provided that death is confirmed by two doctors with the mandatory conduct of verification tests that make it possible to confidently establish actual death.

In medical institutions, work with corpses is carried out for educational and pedagogical purposes; organs and parts of the corpse are used as visual aids (in anatomy).

Various methods of embalming a corpse contribute to the preservation of a corpse and the prevention of rotting (see). Embalming is especially necessary when transporting corpses over long distances, for preparing teaching aids and for forensic medical purposes. Storage of corpses in a hospital is in a cold room, at temperatures below zero.

Burial of corpses is permitted no earlier than 48 hours after death and no later than 72 hours. (see Burial of the dead).

See also Autopsy.