The three stages after death are known as the three subjects of mourning: kōrei 孤霊 (the spirit of the dead), kyōnai 境内 (the body of the dead), and kyōrei 境霊 (the soul of the dead).
Kōrei is the spirit of the dead, and is believed to pass on to the afterlife. This spirit will go through a period of transition and reincarnation, until it reaches its final resting place.
Kyōnai is the body of the dead. This body will transition from a physical form to an ethereal one, going through a process of decomposition. It is important to take special care of a person’s body in this time, to ensure a smooth transition to the afterlife.
Kyōrei is the soul of the dead. This will go through its own process of transformation, from physical to spiritual. It is believed that the soul’s journey depends on the life it lived, and the person’s choices before and after physical death.
After the soul is purified, it will transition from this world to the afterlife.
What happens to the body immediately after death?
Immediately after death, the body begins to undergo a process known as decomposition. This involves the breakdown of bodily tissues, caused by the action of bacteria and enzymes. The external sign of decomposition is the development of a greenish-grey color on the skin and the release of a foul odor.
During the stages of active decay, the bacteria that enter the body following death start to break down the tissues, leading to a softening and discoloring of the skin, as well as bloating and the development of gases and pus.
As the process continues, the body’s organs and tissues break down even further and liquefy, leaving only bones and teeth.
In addition to decomposition, the body can undergo several other changes once death has occurred. Rigor mortis, or the stiffening of the joints, usually begins within 2-4 hours after the death and can last for up to a day.
Livor mortis, or the discoloring of the skin due to settling of the blood, can take place within minutes of death and can last up to 12 hours. Algor mortis, or the cooling of the body, begins as soon as the heart stops.
The body’s temperature will cool to ambient temperatures within 12-24 hours depending on the environment.
Overall, the changes that occur after death are a result of various processes, including decomposition and lividity. These are important to consider if there is a death that needs to be investigated, as they can help determine the time of death and suggest any possible causes or circumstances.
Why does the tongue come out after death?
After death, the tongue may come out of the mouth due to a type of reflex called cadaveric spasm, or instantaneous rigor mortis. This is a rare occurrence, and typically only occurs within minutes after the person has passed.
During cadaveric spasm, the muscles in the body stiffen and the individual’s facial muscles contract, making it appear that they are grimacing and causing the tongue to come out of the mouth. This is an involuntary muscle contraction caused by the sudden loss of nerve stimulation and is usually believed to be caused by the final electrical impulses of death.
The loss of muscle control can also cause the jaw to become “locked” and the eyes to open, with the eyelids not able to close. This phenomenon is not permanent and usually passes within a few minutes.
Does a person know when they are dying?
The answer to this question is not straightforward, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every person and every circumstance is unique, and it depends on a variety of factors. Generally, a person with a terminal illness may have a strong sense that death is coming sooner or later, while a person in a sudden accident may not have this awareness at all.
It likely depends on their physical condition, the stage of the illness, and whether or not the person has been warned about their prognosis.
A person who has been living with a terminal illness may become more aware of the approach of death as their physical condition begins to deteriorate. They may become overwhelmed with a sense of physical pain, despair, and even a sense of impending doom.
These feelings can manifest in many different ways, such as increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, or physical pain. Some people may feel a marked shift in the way they see the world, and a deepening understanding of their mortality.
In addition, some people may be aware of the signs and symptoms of their condition and may actively seek to understand their prognosis and the expected timeline for their death. This can provide a more concrete understanding of their condition and can allow them to make more informed decisions about their care and how to spend their remaining time.
At the same time, even if a person is aware of their condition and symptoms, it can still be hard to pinpoint the exact moment that death approaches. For this reason, many people find comfort in the support of loved ones and friends, and the presence of a medical team that understands their needs.
Ultimately, each person’s experience of death is unique, and it is impossible to be sure exactly when death will come.
What is algor mortis vs rigor mortis?
Algor mortis, also known as death chill, is the decrease in body temperature that follows death. The body of a deceased individual cools quickly after death, locating a temperature lower than the normal living body temperature.
This decrease in temperature is related to the decline in metabolic process that happens during death. The cooling rate is not uniform and will be impacted by factors such as the environment and the physical condition of a person prior to death.
Generally, algor mortis occurs within one hour of a person’s death.
Rigor mortis, otherwise known as cadaveric rigidity, is a stiffening of the body that happens after death. Rigor mortis begins as several hours after a person passes away, more noticeably in the muscles throughout the neck and jaw.
As time passes, rigor mortis progresses throughout the body and can last for up to 72 hours. Ultimately, the muscles of a deceased individual will become stiff and hard to the touch. The onset of rigor mortis is reliant on the environmental conditions and the physical condition of the body immediately after death.
What happens after algor mortis?
After algor mortis, the body begins to cool until it’s the same temperature as its surroundings, a process known as “postmortem cooling” or “cooling after death.” This cooling process typically starts at the head and progresses downwards.
After the body has cooled to the ambient temperature (usually about 18-26°C) the body can no longer release heat, and the time of death can be determined by looking at the temperature of the body. Additionally, the body begins to stiffen due to rigor mortis, which is when the muscle fibers throughout the body contract, leading to stiffness and immobility of joints and muscles.
This can take several hours or, in some cases, days to pass though the body. After the body has cooled, and rigor mortis has worn off, it begins to decompose due to the activity of bacteria and parasitic organisms, a process known as “autolysis.”
The decomposition process varies based on environmental conditions and can take anywhere from days to months to complete.
