Tiempo de lectura:

10min

Death is a topic that raises countless questions. Whether it is about the burial and cremation process, bureaucratic procedures or more technical issues, doubts often arise. One of the common doubts is about the state of decomposition of the body. How long does it take for the body to decompose? This article deals precisely with this theme.

Firstly, it is important to point out that the decomposition time of a corpse varies according to the conditions in which it has been kept. For example, if the body is cold, it will decompose more slowly in ice than in heat. After all, in the latter case, the action of bacteria and other micro-organisms accelerates the process. Other factors, such as the existence of humidity or animals in the area, also play an important role in the decomposition time of a corpse.

When the body is buried, as happens in many cases when it is a human body, the deterioration is less, even more so if the structure of the coffin has a good material. The deeper the coffin is buried, the slower the process will be, as it starts soon after the death. In general, the body goes through 5 stages of decomposition and this takes between nine and twelve months to complete. This is in relation to the skin. On the other hand, bones can take more than four years.

As previously stated, there are still other cases, where the process and time of decomposition of bodies are different, this happens due to the conditions in which the corpse is kept. Take the following two examples:

In nature - the body can take up to 2 years to decompose. After all, there is exposure to a humid and warm environment, where there are also carnivorous animals;

In water - the process can take up to 10 years. It usually occurs by accidents or by murder. Natural decomposition occurs in water due to aerobic and anaerobic decomposing micro-organisms, fish and other living beings, but cold water nevertheless helps preservation.

How are bodies preserved in funeral services?

Since the time of decomposition of a body is variable, when a funeral service is contracted, for example, there is still a greater preservation. The corpse goes through the thanatopraxia process, where the responsible professional removes the coagulated blood and injects conserving liquids.

Besides that, there is still other care, such as washing, which eliminates bacteria and other microorganisms that may harm the body's maintenance. Thus, the body remains presentable for longer for the wake.

Losing a loved one is not something easy. However, counting on a professional in this process can be beneficial. He knows how to deal with the body and what to do to take care of your relative in the best way, in a caring manner.