What happens to a body buried without being embalmed

When it comes to what happens after death, the choices surrounding burial and preservation reveal as much about cultural traditions and personal values as they do about science. The age-old practice of embalming has long been a staple of modern funerals. But as attitudes in society shift, questions about its necessity, environmental impact, and cost have emerged, leading to a decline in its popularity.

Around the world, people are attempting to adopt more sustainable and practical methods to send their deceased loved ones off, and these methods are certainly reshaping the way in which humanity approaches death. But what happens when a body is buried without embalming? And are there are any advantages to embracing a less traditional option? Click through this gallery to find out.

Natural decomposition

When a body is buried, it undergoes natural decomposition as the body’s cells rupture, fluids leak out, and tissues dissolve. In the end, all that remains are hair, teeth, bones, and any clothes draped over the corpse.

Rate of decay

There are many factors that can have an effect on how quickly a body decays. Things like burial depth, temperature, moisture, and even insects accelerate or slow the process.

The effect of metal coffins

Metal coffins can delay decomposition by up to 15 years, since they create a more airtight environment that cannot be easily reached by moisture and insects. Wooden caskets, on the other hand, are more porous and organic, which means they break down quickly belowground.

A slower process

With embalming, a body’s natural decomposition would still happen, although it will occur far slower. The type of coffin used during burial wouldn’t change this progress either, and no type of burial can ever fully halt natural decay.

The essence of embalming

Embalming typically involves replacing bodily fluids with chemicals to preserve the body temporarily. This practice, which is rooted in ancient traditions, aims to delay decay long enough for people to hold open-casket wakes and viewings before burial or cremation.

The Egyptian embalming legacy

Ancient Egyptians pioneered embalming around 2600 BCE. Their advanced preservation techniques (which included draining fluids and using preservatives) created mummies that still endure today. Their methods have influenced the evolution of modern techniques used for temporary preservation.

Modern embalming techniques

Contemporary embalming utilizes chemical solutions like formalin or formaldehyde, injected into the body to slow decay. While it preserves remains temporarily for ceremonial purposes, the process does not indefinitely halt decomposition.

An inevitability

At the risk of sounding grisly, the truth is that death is inevitable and will claim us all. As such, it’s important every person has an awareness of any burial options they might have, which includes embalming.

Microbes begin their silent feast

A body that has been buried without being embalmed quickly becomes a banquet for microbes. Bacteria from the digestive system spread rapidly, consuming tissues and producing gases. This microbial activity is essential to the cycle of life, as it nourishes the surrounding soil.

Skin and tissues

In the absence of embalming, the skin quickly begins to lose its elasticity and color, taking on a grayish, pale appearance. This is one of the earliest visible signs of decomposition, marking the end of life’s rosy glow.

Exploring burial options

Families have various choices when it comes to death, which can also include cremation or natural burial. Each option aligns with different financial, cultural, and environmental preferences, and they allow loved ones to select the most fitting method for their needs.

Cost and environmental impact

Skipping embalming saves money and reduces environmental harm by avoiding chemical usage. Natural burials, for instance, offer eco-friendly alternatives by returning the body to the earth without artificial intervention.

Open-casket wakes

Without embalming, open-casket wakes require quick planning due to rapid decomposition. Funeral homes may impose restrictions on such services unless the body is embalmed to maintain a presentable appearance for mourners.

Emotional comfort in embalming

For some, embalming offers emotional reassurance by preserving a loved one’s appearance temporarily. It provides a sense of closure during the grieving process, even though it cannot halt the body’s eventual decomposition.

Cremation as a growing alternative

Cremation has surged in popularity, and some experts have projected that 82.1% of deaths in the United States will end in cremation by the year 2045. Cremation is not only affordable, but also efficient and compatible with modern lifestyles.

Cryonics

Another costly endeavor that has gained traction in recent years is the use of cryonics to halt body decay. Cryonics involves freezing the body at extremely low temperatures after death, with the hope that future advancements in science might allow for revival and curing of diseases that are currently incurable.

A quest for life after death

Proponents of cryonics view it as a chance to bridge the gap between life and death, believing that science will eventually develop the technology to reverse death or transfer consciousness into new forms.