The Secrets Behind Funerals

Today's discussion will focus on the topic of death. We will explore the workings of the body, mind, and soul during this process. Additionally, we will delve into the science behind claims of individuals seeing the 'other side' and examine curious cases of talking cadavers.

Although discussing death may seem morbid, as you have already clicked on this video, it is reasonable to assume that you too are curious about what occurs when one passes away.

Before delving into the topic of the afterlife, it is prudent to first examine the scientific measurements of the physical changes that occur in the body upon death. Following the cessation of vital signs, such as breathing and circulation, the brain will experience an oxygen deficit leading to a state of primary flaccidity. During this state, all muscles in the body will relax, resulting in flexible limbs, relaxed eyelids, dilated pupils, and potentially an open jaw.

It is customary for funeral homes to stitch the mouth shut in order to present the deceased in a more dignified manner during an open casket funeral. Unfortunately, when a person dies, all muscles, including the sphincters, relax, and there is a possibility of involuntary bowel movement. However, it has been noted that a considerable number of people pass away while using the toilet due to terminal events such as heart attacks or blood clots in the lungs, which can create the sensation of needing to use the bathroom. Straining excessively can also increase blood pressure and trigger a heart attack in rare cases. As such, it is important to be aware of these potential risks and take necessary precautions.

It is noteworthy that there are benefits to the muscle relaxation that occurs after death. The wrinkles that may be of concern to you each morning when looking in the mirror? They disappear.

Upon death, the muscles responsible for pulling on the forehead relax, resulting in the smoothing of certain wrinkles on the face. This phenomenon may be likened to a free Botox treatment, though there is a caveat. The individual may not be able to appreciate the change. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the deceased can exhibit talkative behavior under certain circumstances. How this occurs is a matter of inquiry.

Although a cadaver's lungs may no longer be breathing air, it does not necessarily mean that there is no air left in them. When pressure is applied to a deceased body, such as during an attempt at resuscitation or movement, air can travel up the windpipe and cause the vocal cords to vibrate, resulting in a haunting and eerie moan, groan, or squeak.

After passing away, the body undergoes a process called pallor mortis, which causes the skin to become pale due to the lack of capillary circulation. This is particularly noticeable in individuals with lighter skin. Shortly after, livor mortis sets in as blood is no longer being pumped through the body. Gravity causes the blood to pool towards the ground, resulting in a reddish to purple discoloration on the skin closest to the ground. This discoloration resembles a large bruise and may detract from the body's appearance.

The process of death is not aesthetically pleasing. Roughly three hours after death, rigor mortis sets in. This process occurs because the body's supply of oxygen and energy ceases permanently, which halts the production of adenosine triphosphate, a fuel source for muscles. Consequently, the protein filaments in the muscles become fixed in place, causing the body to stiffen. While not as hard as Ancient Greek sculptures, the body becomes quite rigid.

During the process of biochemical changes, it is possible for muscles in the face and body to contract and twitch for several hours. Therefore, if the deceased appears to be moving, there is no need for alarm. Rigor mortis typically begins in the face and gradually spreads down the torso, arms, and legs, with the fingers and toes being affected last. Additionally, it should be noted that men may experience a prolonged state of rigor mortis in the genital area.

Given the ambient temperature and individual patient factors, the stiff-bodied state can endure for approximately two days. Eventually, the body will begin to relax as muscle tissues break down and decay, and the cells comprising them expire from a lack of replenished energy. This phenomenon is known as secondary flaccidity, and over a span of three days, rigor mortis will reverse its course, commencing with the loosening of the fingers and toes and culminating at the face. Although the stiffness may be unsettling, there is a more disturbing occurrence: Tache Noire.

When the body is in a state of relaxation, leaving the eyes open can result in them drying out and taking on a ghastly black appearance. This is a natural effect caused by the cornea drying out due to constant exposure to air. However, due to the unsettling appearance of deceased individuals with open eyes, particularly if they have turned black, morticians routinely employ the use of eye caps. These useful tools are dimpled on the outside and are placed underneath the eyelids, ensuring the eyes remain securely shut. This is done to ensure that nobody has to witness such a sight.

There is a common misconception that dead people can continue to grow hair and nails. However, I am here to clarify that this rumor is not entirely accurate. When an individual passes away, their skin becomes dehydrated and shrinks. This process causes the nails and hair to appear longer as the skin retracts, creating the illusion of growth.

It is a known fact that a cadaver's hair and nails tend to fall out approximately one month after death. Unfortunately, post-check-out, there is little hope of maintaining one's physical appearance. The process of dying also emits an unpleasant odor, which is not comparable to that of a fresh meadow. Within two to three days, internal organs begin to decay and produce putrescine and cadaverine, two chemicals with a distinct and unpleasant scent. It is important to note that even the most expensive perfumes cannot mask these odors.

The human brain is wired to avoid objects emitting scents of rotten flesh. This is a survival mechanism that protects us from potential danger. Putrescine and cadaverine are two chemicals found in decaying flesh that our brains perceive as extremely unpleasant. When these chemicals are present, our brains send signals to move away from the source of the smell. Additionally, a helpful bacteria in the gut can no longer be maintained when the body begins to decompose. As a result, the bacteria reproduces and releases waste gas that causes the torso and limbs to bloat. This process is not only unpleasant but also potentially harmful to the body.

If there is excessive bloating and liquefaction of organs, gases may build up to dangerous pressures. In rare cases, these gases can violently erupt from the nearest exit, leading to the unsettling result of eyeballs popping from their sockets. However, it is important to maintain a respectful and dignified tone when discussing such topics. If you are enjoying these facts, I kindly request that you share your thoughts in the comments section and consider leaving a like or comment as a means of supporting my work.

I must clarify that my mortality is finite. However, let us divert our attention back to the matter at hand, which is quite unpleasant. Please rest assured that there is no cause for concern regarding my wellbeing.

As the body decomposes, it releases strong chemicals that attract flies. The flies then lay their eggs in and around the body's openings. These eggs hatch into maggots that consume everything in their path. The growth rate of these maggots is impressive.

As time passes, the body exposed to the elements becomes a banquet for various members of the animal kingdom, including birds, beetles, and scavengers. After these critters have finished their meal, only skeletonization remains. Over time, wind, rain, erosion, and abrasion cause the soft tissue to disappear, and the bones and joints detach from one another. This process can take months or even years, resulting in nothing but a pile of bones.

The durability of bones is not unlimited. Under certain conditions, the soft collagen within them will degrade over time. This process can take anywhere from a decade to hundreds of years. Eventually, the bones will become brittle and break down into dust.

If a body is left out in the open, it will inevitably decay. However, if the body is placed inside a coffin, it will last longer. Nevertheless, flies, maggots, and other soil-dwelling creatures such as worms, ants, and bacteria will still find a way to consume the body. In due course, the body will decay to its constituent materials, serving either as fertilizer for the soil or as sustenance for a small life-form. Eventually, the body will transform into energy that the tiny creature uses to survive and move about.

From a physical standpoint, it appears that the end has come. However, is that truly the case? The answer lies in the great unknown, the Big Mystery.

Individual beliefs about what happens after death vary. Some believe in nothingness, where the biological parts of our bodies cease to function, and consciousness no longer exists. Others hold onto the hope of an afterlife. Before examining the afterlife scientifically, it is important to consider these beliefs. Let us now hear from those who believe in an afterlife.

Christians hold the belief that all human beings possess a soul. According to this belief system, the soul is a spiritual essence that resides within the human body. It is often considered the very essence of a person, supernatural and beyond the reach of scientific measurement. Upon physical death, Christians believe that the soul is brought before God for judgment, where the good and bad deeds of its time on earth are weighed and evaluated.

For individuals who align with the Jesus team, there is an experience to be had after being returned to the sender. However, the quality of this experience, whether it be infinitely pleasant or atrocious, depends on how one spends their time amongst the living. Those who follow Islam live their lives according to the Qur'an, and believe that Allah, or god, determines the length of their life. Upon death, Allah will assess one's good and bad deeds with the aid of two angels who meticulously record every individual's rights and wrongs. If a Muslim has lived in accordance with the holy book's guidelines, they will be rewarded with an all-inclusive eternity in Jannah, a 'garden of bliss' where they lie on jeweled couches, remain forever young, and drink from fountains of wine while being served only the finest foods. The alternative option is Jahannam, or Hell, a place filled with smoke, fire, and boiling water where individuals will suffer forever and thirst uncontrollably. Allah does not grant second chances, so adhering to the Qur'an's rules is strongly recommended for those who believe in this version of the afterlife. For those who follow Hinduism.

It is widely believed that existence is a continuous cycle of death and rebirth, referred to as Samsara. Once the physical body deteriorates, the individual's soul, known as the atman, transfers to a new body. During each lifetime, the atman has the freedom to engage in virtuous or malevolent actions. However, Karma will inevitably catch up with the atman, and in the next lifetime, it will receive appropriate rewards or punishments.

If an individual consistently fails to redeem themselves in each life, their atman may be reincarnated as an animal. However, if Hindus persist in performing good deeds and living according to sacred teachings throughout all their reincarnations, it will eventually lead to a state of emancipation, known as Moksha.

At a certain point, the atman will be liberated from the cycle of rebirth. It will reach a state completely detached from the material atoms of the universe. This state is characterized by total freedom and constant bliss. It sounds quite magnificent, does it not?

Numerous religions, including those mentioned, are based primarily on faith and belief. While faith can offer significant personal meaning, it is not supported by empirical, repeatable scientific evidence. However, science can provide insight into the afterlife. For those who do not hold religious beliefs, this scientific perspective may be of interest.

Although the scientific community has yet to reach a comprehensive conclusion regarding what happens to consciousness or spirit after death, individuals who have experienced cardiac arrest may provide insight. Cardiac arrest involves a sudden loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness, resulting in clinical death. However, individuals can sometimes be revived. It is important to differentiate cardiac arrest from biological death, which occurs when cells in vital organs die en masse due to prolonged lack of oxygen and cease to function entirely.

In a study of more than 2,000 patients who had suffered cardiac arrest and survived, a surprising 39% reported a sense of semi-awareness during their clinical death. This awareness was described as a feeling of peacefulness and a perception of time slowing down or speeding up, without the ability to explicitly recall any specific events during that time.

A separate 9% of patients claimed to have experienced near-death experiences, including the flashback of their life or seeing lights at the end of a tunnel. Additionally, 46% reported experiences that did not align with typical expectations, some of which were vaguely fearful and tormenting. Strangely, 2% reported near-full awareness, recalling verified events while clinically dead. It remains uncertain what happens to our minds when we die, but can science partially explain these experiences?

Neuroscientist Christof Koch posits that a patient undergoing cardiac arrest should not be classified as dead, as resuscitation is still possible. When the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, the patient will faint, but electrical activity in the brain persists. Koch theorizes that, much like in dreams, the brain will construct its own storyline based on the individual's experiences and cultural beliefs.

It is possible that individuals who experience cardiac arrest may be half-dreaming the thing they expect to encounter, given that pop culture often evokes an image of seeing 'a light at the end of the tunnel'. Alternatively, this 'light tunnel' may have something to do with the physiology of our eyes. During cardiac arrest, the reduction of blood flow to the retina leads to vision loss occurring at the periphery of the eye first. The 'tunnel' may actually just be vision gradually decreasing from the edges inward. As the increasingly-encroaching edges become increasingly darker, the central, remaining visible light becomes brighter and brighter by contrast, forming a tunnel, until, nothingness.

Scientists have asserted that the brain often shuts down 20 to 30 seconds after the heart stops. This leads to the suggestion that some of the visions reported by individuals who experience near-death episodes during cardiac arrest for longer periods may simply be tricks of the mind. It is probable that patients remember a cognitive experience that occurred just before their clinical death. When they black out and eventually regain consciousness, they may misremember this fainting dream as happening while they were clinically dead.

Currently, there are no definitive answers regarding the mysterious realm between life and death. The fate of our cognitive faculties after we depart from this world remains shrouded in uncertainty. However, in today's technology-dominated society, there is one way in which our existence persists even after we pass away.

The concept of death remains a mystery that eludes human understanding. Despite countless stories, scientific explanations, and religious beliefs, only the deceased have knowledge of what transpires after death. One certainty is that death is inevitable for all of us. Therefore, we must wait and witness what happens in the end.

What are your thoughts on the matter of the afterlife?