whathappensafterdeath

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Saint Jerome (Detail), 1655 - Carlo Dolci

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National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City. January, 2016.

Sculpture of Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the dead.

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Stages of Death

somatic death - death of the person

molecular death - death at the level of cells

post-mortem changes

pallor mortis: paleness; 15 - 120 minutes after death

algor mortis: reduction in body temperature; a steady decline until matching ambient temperature

rigor mortis: limbs of the corpse become stuff and difficult to move or manipulate

livor mortis (dependent lividity): settling of the blood in the lower portion of the body

putrefaction: beginning signs of decomposition

decomposition: reduction into simpler forms of matter; accompanied by a strong, unpleasant odor

stage 1: initial decay: bacteria in lower intestine begin decomposition, giving a greenish color to the lower abdomen

stage 2: putrefaction: bacteria throughout the body release gases which in turn bloat the body and cause an unpleasant odor

stage 3: black putrefaction: further discoloration; gases from bacterial decay begin to escape, causing a strong odor

sage 4: butyric fermentation: the internal organs liquefy and the body begins to dry out

stage 5: mummification: in a hot, dry climate the body may dehydrate, inhibiting bacterial decay; the skin dries to a dark leathered appearance

skeletonization: all soft tissues have decomposed, leaving only a skeleton

fossilization: natural preservation of the skeletal remains formed over a very long period

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Hendrick Andriessen, Vanitas, before 1655