10 Things That Happen After You DIE
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VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Don Ekama
Journey with us as we explore the fascinating and sometimes unsettling processes that occur after death. From the immediate cellular breakdown to the final stages of decomposition, we'll examine the biological changes that transform our bodies. Warning: This content contains detailed scientific explanations of post-mortem processes. We dive deep into phenomena like rigor mortis, livor mortis, and the surprising burst of brain activity that occurs moments after death. Learn about the science behind post-mortem changes, from body temperature drops to the misconception about growing nails and hair. What fascinated or frightened you the most? Share in the comments.
10 Things That Happen After You DIE
Don Ekama
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most fascinating stages of the decomposition process that unfold after a person dies.
Cells Start To Break Down
As living beings, our hearts continuously pump blood throughout our bodies, transporting oxygen to cells and taking away their waste products. However, when a person dies, their heart ceases to function, leaving cells with no means to eliminate their waste. This causes a toxic buildup that greatly increases the acidity within the cells. Once this occurs, certain internal membranes start to rupture, allowing enzymes to be released and roam freely. These enzymes initiate a process called autolysis, in which they digest the internal structures of the cells, essentially consuming them from the inside out. This typically starts off in the liver and brain a few minutes after death, before spreading throughout the rest of the body.
Burst of Brain Activity
Many people who have had near-death experiences often describe seeing their entire lives flash before their eyes or having an out-of-body episode, just before they’re resuscitated. For decades, this phenomenon baffled scientists, as they believed that brain activity essentially stopped along with the heart. However, studies have shown that for a brief period after death, the brain experiences a sudden surge of electrical activity, sometimes exceeding the levels seen during the normal waking state. This may result in a state of intense hallucinations, which can last up to five minutes in some cases. This suggests that the body enters a heightened form of consciousness immediately after death, before eventually giving out completely.
Body Temperature Drops
It is well known that when a person dies, their bodies typically grow colder than usual. This process, which is recognized as the third stage of death, is referred to as Algor mortis. In a living human, body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus, located within the brain. But after life ceases, the body temperature gradually decreases until it aligns with that of the surrounding environment. Usually, this cooling process occurs at a rate of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour. However, the speed of this decline also depends on a variety of factors including the environmental conditions, the type of clothing worn by the deceased, as well as any underlying diseases.
Bloating
The human body is populated by millions of microorganisms, largely composed of bacteria. These microbes are sometimes beneficial to us and are prevented from causing infections by the immune system. So what happens when this system no longer functions? In a process known as putrefaction, the bacteria begin to consume the body tissues and produce gaseous compounds, such as methane and ammonia, as byproducts. These gases build up within the body, causing it to bloat, primarily in the abdomen and chest areas. Additionally, as some of the bacteria attack the blood cells, it results in the production of a greenish molecule, which accumulates and causes a discoloration of the skin.
Moaning & Groaning
Hearing the dead make audible noises is something that would definitely freak most people out. But surprisingly, it is a relatively common occurrence. Much like zombies in a work of fiction, corpses can actually let out moans and groans long after they’re dead. This phenomenon occurs due to the presence of air in a person’s lungs at the time of death. When the body is moved around in a certain manner, this trapped air could be released through the vocal cords, creating sounds that resemble moans or groans. This commonly happens with individuals on whom medical personnel tried resuscitation, but it could still occur even if no such efforts were made.
Nails & Hair Appear to Grow
You might be familiar with the notion that after a person dies, their nails and hair continue to grow. While it may seem true at first glance, it’s not at all accurate. The processes by which these body parts grow require a significant supply of energy from glucose. When a person dies, however, this energy source is no longer available and as a result, nail and hair growth effectively cease. However, the reason why this misconception has become so popular is that after death, the skin becomes dehydrated and shrinks. This causes the nails and hair underneath to become more prominent.
You May Still Relieve Yourself
Located in the bladder and bowels are certain sphincters that allow you control the release of pee and poop. However, shortly after death, all the muscles in the body, including these sphincters, undergo a process called primary flaccidity, in which they become relaxed. As a result, any urine in the bladder or feces in the rectum will pass out freely. This may not happen as forcefully as during a visit to the restroom, as the muscles that help push out waste will also be relaxed. It is worth nothing, though, that this involuntary release doesn’t happen in every deceased person. According to most morticians, it occurs in only around 20-50% of corpses.
Livor Mortis
When a person dies, their heart stops functioning and circulation of blood throughout the body effectively ceases. Without the pumping action of the heart, blood remains stagnant within the vessels. About 20-30 minutes after death, gravity slowly causes the blood to pool at the lowest points of the body. This results in the characteristic pale appearance of corpses when they lie face up. Roughly two hours post-mortem, the pooled blood causes large purple splotches to appear at the bottom of the body. This phenomenon is known as Livor mortis and it serves as one of the observable signs of death. In some cases, coroners also use livor mortis to estimate the approximate time of death.
Rigor Mortis
Following the initial relaxation of the body during primary flaccidity, the muscles in the body undergo a series of chemical changes that lead them in the complete opposite direction. This phenomenon is referred to as Rigor mortis, another observable sign of death. Rigor mortis usually sets in between two to six hours after death, causing all the muscles in the body to contract and become stiff. It’s a common misconception that this process begins immediately after death and stays permanently. In reality, however, it typically lasts for several hours before the muscles eventually return to their relaxed state, a process known as secondary flaccidity.
Skeletonization
The decomposition of a corpse typically starts with the aforementioned autolysis, where the cells are broken down by enzymes, and ends with skeletonization. As the name suggests, this stage occurs when all the soft tissues in the corpse have decayed or been consumed completely, leaving behind just the skeleton. The time it takes for this process to happen depends on a range of factors such as the temperature of the environment and presence of insects. Overall, it varies from around three weeks to several years. Once skeletonized, the corpse can remain largely intact for decades or even centuries, making it valuable as forensic evidence or for archeological purposes.
Which of these facts about death terrifies you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
Don Ekama
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most fascinating stages of the decomposition process that unfold after a person dies.
Cells Start To Break Down
As living beings, our hearts continuously pump blood throughout our bodies, transporting oxygen to cells and taking away their waste products. However, when a person dies, their heart ceases to function, leaving cells with no means to eliminate their waste. This causes a toxic buildup that greatly increases the acidity within the cells. Once this occurs, certain internal membranes start to rupture, allowing enzymes to be released and roam freely. These enzymes initiate a process called autolysis, in which they digest the internal structures of the cells, essentially consuming them from the inside out. This typically starts off in the liver and brain a few minutes after death, before spreading throughout the rest of the body.
Burst of Brain Activity
Many people who have had near-death experiences often describe seeing their entire lives flash before their eyes or having an out-of-body episode, just before they’re resuscitated. For decades, this phenomenon baffled scientists, as they believed that brain activity essentially stopped along with the heart. However, studies have shown that for a brief period after death, the brain experiences a sudden surge of electrical activity, sometimes exceeding the levels seen during the normal waking state. This may result in a state of intense hallucinations, which can last up to five minutes in some cases. This suggests that the body enters a heightened form of consciousness immediately after death, before eventually giving out completely.
Body Temperature Drops
It is well known that when a person dies, their bodies typically grow colder than usual. This process, which is recognized as the third stage of death, is referred to as Algor mortis. In a living human, body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus, located within the brain. But after life ceases, the body temperature gradually decreases until it aligns with that of the surrounding environment. Usually, this cooling process occurs at a rate of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour. However, the speed of this decline also depends on a variety of factors including the environmental conditions, the type of clothing worn by the deceased, as well as any underlying diseases.
Bloating
The human body is populated by millions of microorganisms, largely composed of bacteria. These microbes are sometimes beneficial to us and are prevented from causing infections by the immune system. So what happens when this system no longer functions? In a process known as putrefaction, the bacteria begin to consume the body tissues and produce gaseous compounds, such as methane and ammonia, as byproducts. These gases build up within the body, causing it to bloat, primarily in the abdomen and chest areas. Additionally, as some of the bacteria attack the blood cells, it results in the production of a greenish molecule, which accumulates and causes a discoloration of the skin.
Moaning & Groaning
Hearing the dead make audible noises is something that would definitely freak most people out. But surprisingly, it is a relatively common occurrence. Much like zombies in a work of fiction, corpses can actually let out moans and groans long after they’re dead. This phenomenon occurs due to the presence of air in a person’s lungs at the time of death. When the body is moved around in a certain manner, this trapped air could be released through the vocal cords, creating sounds that resemble moans or groans. This commonly happens with individuals on whom medical personnel tried resuscitation, but it could still occur even if no such efforts were made.
Nails & Hair Appear to Grow
You might be familiar with the notion that after a person dies, their nails and hair continue to grow. While it may seem true at first glance, it’s not at all accurate. The processes by which these body parts grow require a significant supply of energy from glucose. When a person dies, however, this energy source is no longer available and as a result, nail and hair growth effectively cease. However, the reason why this misconception has become so popular is that after death, the skin becomes dehydrated and shrinks. This causes the nails and hair underneath to become more prominent.
You May Still Relieve Yourself
Located in the bladder and bowels are certain sphincters that allow you control the release of pee and poop. However, shortly after death, all the muscles in the body, including these sphincters, undergo a process called primary flaccidity, in which they become relaxed. As a result, any urine in the bladder or feces in the rectum will pass out freely. This may not happen as forcefully as during a visit to the restroom, as the muscles that help push out waste will also be relaxed. It is worth nothing, though, that this involuntary release doesn’t happen in every deceased person. According to most morticians, it occurs in only around 20-50% of corpses.
Livor Mortis
When a person dies, their heart stops functioning and circulation of blood throughout the body effectively ceases. Without the pumping action of the heart, blood remains stagnant within the vessels. About 20-30 minutes after death, gravity slowly causes the blood to pool at the lowest points of the body. This results in the characteristic pale appearance of corpses when they lie face up. Roughly two hours post-mortem, the pooled blood causes large purple splotches to appear at the bottom of the body. This phenomenon is known as Livor mortis and it serves as one of the observable signs of death. In some cases, coroners also use livor mortis to estimate the approximate time of death.
Rigor Mortis
Following the initial relaxation of the body during primary flaccidity, the muscles in the body undergo a series of chemical changes that lead them in the complete opposite direction. This phenomenon is referred to as Rigor mortis, another observable sign of death. Rigor mortis usually sets in between two to six hours after death, causing all the muscles in the body to contract and become stiff. It’s a common misconception that this process begins immediately after death and stays permanently. In reality, however, it typically lasts for several hours before the muscles eventually return to their relaxed state, a process known as secondary flaccidity.
Skeletonization
The decomposition of a corpse typically starts with the aforementioned autolysis, where the cells are broken down by enzymes, and ends with skeletonization. As the name suggests, this stage occurs when all the soft tissues in the corpse have decayed or been consumed completely, leaving behind just the skeleton. The time it takes for this process to happen depends on a range of factors such as the temperature of the environment and presence of insects. Overall, it varies from around three weeks to several years. Once skeletonized, the corpse can remain largely intact for decades or even centuries, making it valuable as forensic evidence or for archeological purposes.
Which of these facts about death terrifies you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
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