This Is What Happens When We Die

Need a domain, website, or online store? Build it with Squarespace. But what about the end of life—what truly happens when we die? Despite advancements in science, the topic of death remains deeply intriguing and mysterious. Many people, regardless of their scientific understanding, still hold beliefs in some form of life after death. For example, a 2014 poll by the Telegraph in the UK revealed that just under 60% of respondents believe some part of us continues to exist after death. Similarly, in the United States, a Pew Research survey from 2015 found that 72% of Americans believe in heaven—a place where those who have led virtuous lives are eternally rewarded. On the other hand, 54% of Americans believe in hell, a place of eternal punishment for those who have lived poorly and did not repent.

Many people imagine the afterlife as either a serene paradise or a tormenting hell. This dichotomy often reflects the ethical and moral teachings of various religions and philosophies. However, let's first examine the scientific perspective on what happens to the body after death. When a person dies, medical professionals can confirm it through the cessation of heartbeats and the absence of electrical activity in the brain. This condition is known as brain death. Although machines can sometimes prolong bodily functions for a short time, once brain death occurs, the body undergoes several irreversible changes.

One critical stage is cardiac death, where the heart stops beating and blood no longer circulates through the body. This cessation of blood flow leads to a range of bodily changes. Shortly after death, the muscles relax, including those that control bodily functions. This relaxation can cause the release of fluids and gases from the body, resulting in a somewhat messy process. For instance, the contents of the digestive system, such as the food consumed before death, can be expelled. Additionally, gases built up in the body may escape, producing unpleasant odors. In rare cases, if a woman dies while pregnant, a phenomenon known as "coffin birth" can occur, where the pressure from decomposing gases forces the fetus out of the body. However, this is quite uncommon.

As decomposition progresses, the body undergoes several stages. Initially, without blood flow, the body begins to cool down, a process called "algor mortis" or "death chill." The body temperature will eventually match that of the surrounding environment. Within a few hours after death, the body becomes stiff due to a condition known as "rigor mortis." This stiffness occurs because calcium builds up in muscle cells, leading to muscle contraction. Over time, the body starts to decompose as bacteria and microorganisms break down the tissues. This process, known as putrefaction, results in a foul odor as the body’s soft tissues liquefy while bones, cartilage, and hair remain relatively intact.

The rate of decomposition can vary depending on factors such as the environment, burial conditions, and whether the body has been embalmed. If buried, decomposition can take several years, sometimes up to 8-12 years before only bones remain. If left above ground, decomposition occurs more rapidly, with the body becoming a liquefied mass within a month, exposed to insects, maggots, and other scavengers. Over time, even the bones will eventually break down, merging with the earth.

While some individuals report profound near-death experiences, such as moving toward a bright light, others describe a more mundane experience of darkness and emptiness. Philosophers like René Descartes and Friedrich Nietzsche have proposed various theories about life after death. Descartes believed the soul is separate from the body, suggesting that something of us might persist beyond physical death. Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence proposes that all existence repeats itself eternally, implying that we live the same life repeatedly. Similarly, Buddhist beliefs include the "Wheel of Samsara," which describes a cycle of rebirth where souls are reincarnated into new lives until achieving enlightenment and breaking free from the cycle.

These diverse perspectives—from scientific explanations to philosophical and religious beliefs—reflect humanity’s ongoing quest to understand the nature of life and death. Whether one views death as a transition to an afterlife, a return to the earth, or something else entirely, it remains a deeply personal and profound subject.