ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

This Is Exactly What Happens To Our Bodies When We Die

This Is Exactly What Happens To Our Bodies When We Die

There are several processes the body goes through to completely shut down... cheery, right?

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

WARNING: PRETTY GRUSOME DETAILS LIE AHEAD

There's something morbidly fascinating about death. For many of us, curiosity means we just need to know everything.

OK, not everyone wants to know what happens when we die (sorry to remind you, but it's going to happen to all of us one day - that's guaranteed) but still... here's a breakdown of what's in store for us all when we croak.

Flickr/Alan Levine

After all, the inquisitive minds among us will want to know what happens as the body shuts down and decomposes... yep, as you imagined, this ain't gonna be pretty.

First things first: the heart stops and blood pools as it is no longer being pumped around (by the heart - because it's given up). So it collects in arteries and veins.

After this the body will change to a blotchy, blueish colour as blood pools in the lower parts of the body, which is all down to gravity.

PA

Next up comes algor mortis which is also known as the 'death chill'. This is the process of the body losing its temperature (usually around 37°C). Algor mortis will see it decrease by around 0.8°C every hour. Brrrrr.

Then something occurs that you may have heard about before - rigor mortis. This basically sees the body go really stiff, including eyelids and neck muscles.

After this, the body can go through a process of twitching and flexing. This can happen a few hours after death has occurred.

Creative Commons/Tony Fischer Photography

The face can also appear flattened out with lines and wrinkles disappearing as the muscles stop working.

Now things start to take a grim turn, because as the body tightens with rigor mortis, other parts loosen up... including the sphincter (which is usually controlled by the brain but... umm... dead). This can result in a bit of a mess, but let's face it - you're not really going to care at this stage.

Sticking with the theme - nasty smells can seep out as cells die and release enzymes that attract bacteria and fungi, causing decomposition.

After the bacteria and fungi stage, the body will then be feasted on by animals such as blowflies and flesh flies. They will lay eggs which result in loads of maggots that can be joined by other critters.

Oh, and dead bodies can make noises too: farting, squeaking and burping. Which is sure to give medical professionals a bit of a fright.

The eyes can begin to bulge and the tongue will swell as the intestines begin to decompose and release gases.

After all of this, the putrefaction process can kick off - also known as the liquefaction of the organs. This is when the corpse can start to feel spongey.

Skin will then start to detach from the bones, which are the last thing to decompose. They can remain intact for decades after death has occurred.

The only thing that's left to say is: thank God we're dead through all this. Eurgh.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Death, Community, Weird