Top 10 Events Before and After Death

The human body is a marvel of energy exchange, intricate and fascinating in its design. But what occurs when a person's health declines, leading them to the brink of death? To fully comprehend the body's functioning, it's vital to examine its behavior when it ceases to operate. What happens when cells stop dividing and ATP, the energy source within cells, is exhausted? Even the moments preceding the final breath offer a glimpse into the body's abnormal processes. This list presents, in approximate sequence, ten critical changes that the human body undergoes both during and after death. PLEASE NOTE: Some entries may be unsettling – however, efforts have been made to avoid including graphic imagery.

10. Death Rattle

The death rattle is a term frequently used in medical settings to describe the eerie sound produced by someone nearing death. It happens when the cough reflex and swallowing ability are lost, leading to a buildup of saliva in the throat and lungs. While it typically causes no pain to the patient, the sound can be deeply unsettling for loved ones. Those who have heard the death rattle often find it unforgettable. Medical interventions like suctioning, pain relief, and anti-anxiety medications are usually provided to ease the patient's discomfort and allow the natural dying process to continue. [Image: Lord Byron on his Death-bed; Joseph Denis Odevaere]

9. Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

This abnormal breathing pattern is marked by rapid breaths followed by periods of no breathing (apnea). As the heart weakens and becomes overworked, the body attempts to hyperventilate, leading to exhaustion and temporary cessation of breathing. This results in reduced blood flow and oxygen to the organs, causing cell death, organ failure, and ultimately, the individual's demise. While it can also occur in individuals with heart failure or respiratory issues, it is most commonly observed as death approaches. [Image: By the Deathbed; Edvard Munch]

8. Defecation

After death, the muscles in the body no longer receive energy from ATP, leading to the relaxation of the bowels and potential bowel movements. This is more likely in individuals who have eaten shortly before passing. The speed of an individual's digestion also plays a role in post-mortem defecation. It is more common in sudden deaths of otherwise healthy people. Hospice patients, who often lose their appetite days before death, are less likely to experience this. [Image: Young woman on her death bed; Anonymous, Flemish School]

7. Rigor Mortis

Rigor mortis, or 'death stiffness,' is a well-known post-mortem phenomenon. After death, the body cannot release muscle contractions, leading to a permanent state of stiffness. This process typically starts 1-3 hours after death and subsides after 24 hours. It progresses from the head downward, affecting all muscles, including the eyelids. If the eyes remain open, eye caps are used to close them. Rigor mortis can also cause the heart to appear enlarged, post-mortem semen release, and a goosebump-like texture on the skin. [Image: At the death bed; Samal Joensen Mikines]

6. Livor Mortis

Livor mortis refers to the purple-red discoloration that occurs as blood pools in the lower parts of the body due to gravity. However, this discoloration does not appear in areas in contact with the ground or under pressure, as the capillaries are compressed. This phenomenon is akin to pressing a finger on your arm and seeing a temporary white mark. Coroners use livor mortis to determine the body's position at death and estimate the time of death. It typically begins 1-2 hours after death and becomes fixed within 6-12 hours. [Image: Ria Munk on her Deathbed; Gustav Klimt]

5. Algor Mortis

Commonly referred to as the 'death chill,' this phenomenon describes the drop in body temperature after death. Cooling occurs only if the surrounding environment is cooler than the body's temperature at the time of death. Factors influencing the cooling rate include body location (shade vs. sun), clothing, and room temperature. For instance, a cold bathroom floor accelerates cooling compared to dying outdoors in 95-degree heat. Obese individuals lose heat more slowly than infants, who cool rapidly. This method is useful for estimating time of death within 24 hours, as the body typically takes about a day to match the ambient temperature. [Image: Death of Pierrot; Aubrey Beardsley]

4. Tache Noire

Tache noire, meaning 'black spot,' is a dark, reddish-brown line that forms horizontally across the eyeball. While alive, blinking keeps the eyes moist, but after death, this protection ceases if the eyelids remain open. This condition also affects other mucous membranes, such as the tongue, which darkens when exposed to air. However, tache noire does not occur in cases of drowning or if the body is submerged in water, as the eyes must be exposed to air for it to develop. [Image: The Death Bed; Kathleen Walne]

3. Putrefaction

Decomposition of the body occurs through two primary processes: Autolysis and Putrefaction. Autolysis involves the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins by digestive enzymes within cells. Putrefaction, driven by bacterial activity, is the leading cause of tissue degradation. This process typically begins 4 to 10 days after death and is responsible for most visible changes in a corpse, such as bloating, greenish discoloration of the abdomen, skin slippage, and loss of hair and nails. Heat accelerates putrefaction, while cooling slows it, and freezing halts it entirely. Environmental factors and the deceased's health also influence the rate of decay. Forensic experts use the extent of putrefaction to estimate the time of death based on a known progression of post-mortem changes. [Image: Death of Seneca; Manuel Domínguez Sánchez]

2. Degloving

Degloving refers to the post-mortem detachment of the skin, particularly from the fingers and nails, forming what some describe as 'gloves' or 'socks.' This occurs due to the swelling caused by gases in the neck, trunk, and limbs, which can resemble extreme obesity. When the pressure from these gases becomes too great, they escape, causing the decaying soft tissues to disintegrate. The term 'degloving' is fitting, as the skin can be peeled off like a glove. Remarkably, the underlying skin can still retain fingerprints for forensic examination. [Image: Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill; Pieter Claesz]

1. Purge Fluid

Purge fluid is a foul-smelling, reddish-brown liquid that exits through the mouth and nose, often mistaken for blood or signs of trauma. It results from gas buildup in the body, particularly in the stomach and intestines, causing abdominal distension. The increased pressure forces this fluid, mixed with blood, to escape from the mouth, nose, and vagina, while a similar fluid containing feces may exit the rectum. This fluid helps estimate the time of death, especially in hot climates like Texas or Mexico, where it can appear within 24 hours. [Image: Puppet on his Death Bed]