how long does it take for a body to decompose

3 hours postmortem : stiffening of the muscles - aka rigor mortis - sets in.Below, we focus on the decomposition process without embalming when a body is in a neutral climate, not in a coffin, and the remains are undisturbed. This is why forensic scientists created body farms (warning: article contains image of human decomposition) to study human decomposition rates under various conditions.

For example, bodies decay at a faster rate if they are exposed to the elements or wildlife, if they are in warm environments, or if they are under water. The rate of decomposition is largely dependent on the cause of death, the weight of the deceased and other environmental factors. Process of Decomposition Without Embalming There is no public health benefit to embalming and it is practiced purely for cosmetic purposes however, in some places, it is prohibited to embalm a person who died from a serious contagious disease. The way in which the corpse is embalmed greatly affects the duration of its preservation. What Does Embalming Do?Įmbalming is a custom, used mainly in the US and Canada, that temporarily preserves a deceased body so it will be intact for viewing at wakes and funerals. Despite the process of decomposition beginning immediately upon death, some western cultures delay its progression through embalming. Nobody knows what happens after you die, but one thing is certain: the natural process of human decomposition - the postmortem decay of tissue and muscle. How Long Does it Take For a Body to Decompose Without Embalming?Īlthough it may sound morbid, it’s human nature to wonder about death.

How long does it take for a body to decompose