What Occurs In The Hour Following A Person’s Death

When someone passes away, their body begins a series of changes almost immediately after death. One hour after death, a variety of physical processes begin, as the body starts to shut down.…..CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLES HERE

Post-mortem changes begin with the cessation of blood circulation, meaning oxygen is no longer delivered to cells. Without oxygen, cells start to break down, leading to cellular death.

One of the first signs is pallor mortis, the paling of the skin due to lack of circulation. Rigor mortis, or the stiffening of the muscles, may also start setting in within the first hour, although it is more pronounced after a few hours. This is because the muscles’ biochemical processes stop functioning, causing them to become rigid.

Internally, the body’s temperature starts to drop. Known as algor mortis, this cooling happens at a predictable rate of about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour, until it reaches the surrounding environment’s temperature.

In addition to these initial physical changes, the process of autolysis begins. The body’s enzymes begin to break down cells, starting with the liver, stomach, and intestines. As decomposition progresses, the bacteria in the intestines begin to multiply, releasing gases and leading to bloating.

While the process of decomposition is just beginning, this hour marks the start of the transition from life to the stages of post-mortem changes.