Have you ever wondered what happens to our physical shell after we die? Many of us are often preoccupied with questions concerning what happens after death in terms of our non-physical self. Our consciousness or soul, if you prefer. Is there some sort of spiritual existence that continues after the flame of life has extinguished, and if so, where and what is it? Depending on your religious or spiritual beliefs, this afterlife may consist of reincarnation, paradise or eternal damnation.
Since thanatophobia, or the fear of death and dying takes up so much of our thoughts when thinking about death, not enough of us stop to think about what happens on the physical and biological level. What is death and what are the processes and steps that ensue?
When a human dies, there are seven main phases of death that occur in a specific and chronological order. In order to understand these processes, it is first important to have a better understanding of what death actually is. Rather than a precise moment in time, death is instead a process of chemical changes that occurs within the entirety of the body and touches all the cells and tissues of the organism. While we are alive, the body strives to maintain a state of homeostasis. Simply put, homeostasis is the totality of the body’s physiological processes and mechanisms that help to maintain a balanced equilibrium that keeps us alive. The absence of this homeostasis leads us to our demise and thus, the seven phases of death begins.
THE SEVEN PHASES OF DEATH
Phase 1: Pallor Mortis
Phase 2: Algor Mortis
Phase 3: Rigor Mortis
In order for a muscle to contract, firstly the brain sends a signal to said muscle. The body then releases calcium ions. These ions bind together with protein filaments in the muscle tissue causing them to pull onto each other and constrict or shorten. The body then uses ATP (adenosine triphosphate, or the body’s source of natural energy) to release these bonds thus releasing the contraction and relaxing the muscle.
Immediately after death, the body still contains a small reservoir of calcium ions which have not yet been depleted. These calcium ions continue to bind to the muscle filaments and contract. However, since we are dead and our source of ATP is depleted, the muscles remain contracted and stiff. These contractions are only broken after 24-36 hours once the muscles begin to decompose. Manually massaging the stiff muscles can also deconstruct rigor mortis. Embalmers often massage the corpse before injecting preservation fluids so that the liquid may flow smoothly throughout the arteries without the constricting muscles hindering their passage.
Phase 4: Livor mortis
Phase 5: Putrefaction
The fifth phase is the putrefaction phase. Putrefaction is the decomposition of proteins in the body which leads to the breaking down of tissues. Putrefaction touches all the tissues of the body including the organs. The organs will generally liquify whereas the skin may begin to detach and slip off the muscles like a glove. This process of decomposition is due to the digestion of organic material by means of the bacterial and fungal microorganisms. These microorganisms are perpetually present on the outside and inside of the human body.
Phase 6: Decomposition
Phase 7: Skeletonization
Skeletonization refers to the final stage of death. It is the phase in which the entirety of the body’s soft tissues and organs have either dried up or decomposed completely exposing the bare skeleton. When buried six feet under without a coffin, in ordinary soil, an unembalmed adult normally takes eight to twelve years to decompose fully. However, if sealed in a coffin, skeletonization may take many years longer.
The details of this gruesome reality may make some people’s stomach turn. Yet, it is the reality that all living organisms will nonetheless endure. It is important to understand that death is a natural and repetitive process rather than a taboo and macabre topic to be avoided. So next time you throw away that rotten piece of fruit on your countertop, stop to think that that fruit too has succumbed to its own individual process of death. All this to say that death is all around us. Death has existed since the beginning of time and will continue to exist indefinitely. If there is one thing that is certain about life is the fact that we will all die. Approaching the topic of death with a different perspective and examining the seven phases of death often makes one appreciate life much more.
There are only the 4 known signs of death. Death is defined by most states as the cessation of the beating of the heart and the stoppage of the flow of blood and the stoppage of lung and brain functions.
When the heart stops, blood no longer flows. This is first evident in the paleness appearance in the face and upper body (pallor mortis). Also, blood will begin to pool to the lowest point of the body causing a reddish appearance. Within 8 -12 hours, the skin will take on a “marbling” or purple appearance. This is due no more oxygen in the red blood cells. This is known a livor mortis.
Because the brain stops functioning there are no more signals for muscles to contract. Within two hours primary flaccidity occurs in with all the muscles relax. If you want more than four signs, you technically could use the term primary flaccidity. It is very visible in that you will notice passage of urine and detect an odor of gas (you know – the green fog). You could also use the term “autolysis” as a stage but not very visible to us. Autolysis is when digestive enzymes begin breaking down the cells, releasing tons of calcium ions. Muscle contraction requires calcium ions. So due to the increase in calcium, skeletal muscle cells begin to contract. Myosin proteins utilize what remaining ATP to bind to actin causing the contractions. The does begin soon after death. Muscle cells can live after death for about two hours. But with no oxygen the muscle cells begin to anaerobic respiration with makes a little ATP. Rigor mortis peaks around 12 hours of death and can last up to 24 hours. But the muscle cells also need ATP to cause muscle cells to relax. After 12 hours rigor mortis wanes because of decomposition of the muscle fibers This is also called secondary flaccidity – another sign.
Then there is algor and livor mortis. So if you have your heart on seven signs you would have the four morti, plus primary and secondary flaccidity and then autolysis.
Decomposition has 5 phases or steps. Technically the time of death is counted by most as a stage – but I disregard it. I always send my forensic science students to the Australian Museum of Natural History. They have the digital version of an exhibit called Death: The Last Taboo. It’s incredible.
Initial decay is best highlighted by the laying of 100s of eggs from the blowfly – Maggots! Second is Putrefaction or consumption by bacteria creating gases. This is also known as the Bloat stage. Third is Black Putrefaction when the liquefy tissues are released and ooze from the corpse. Butyric fermentation is the fourth stage and is highlighted by production of butyric acid by bacteria giving a cheesy order to the corpse fauna.
Lastly is dry decay or what you called skeletonization. If I would could go back now to my early 20s I would get my medical degree and take on an additional 5 years to become a forensic pathologist/medical examiner. For the past 15, I have been teaching Forensic Science to high schools students in Maryland an I enjoy every day of it – even now, remotely due to COVID – 19.
Sincerely,
Sanford Herzon