I am looking for information about the decaying process once the corpse is placed in the ground or mausoleum, and the differences in the decay process in these two interment methods.
This sounds rather morbid, true. It is part of the living process and just as fascinating as learning how life begins. What happens to our bodies and why, etc. Can a body completely turn to dust like material, and how long would this take? Do all graves ultimately fill up with water and if not, why not?
Thanks, Jeff
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March 23rd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Sorry that I haven’t answered your question sooner. In a nutshell; the theory is that bodies will quickly become dehydrated in a mausoleum. Bodies have been found in very dry regions that are hundreds even thousands of years old that are very well preserved even without being embalmed. Embalming as is practiced in our culture (formaldehyde) cross-links the proteins, drying out the tissue, decreasing the chance of putrid decomposition. Air is circulated through the mausoleum for just that reason. Most metallic caskets allow for venting, with wooden caskets this is unnecessary with wood as wood breathes. Even in a concrete vault there is considerably more moisture underground, and definitely not moving dry air. I am not sure exactly when the widespread use of vaults started but the requirement is mostly due to the cemeteries desire to “keep the lawn smooth” as degrading of the casket (both wood & metal) occurs.
Jim
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Each case is extremely different with a lot of factors that play a role. For example was the body embalmed or not embalmed. If the body was embalmed what was the chemical index used in the embalming process. What did the case die from etc. The other aspect is the environment is the environment dry or wet hot or cold. A lot of factors will play a part in the decay process. Now with that said I’ve done several disinterments from 10 years, 20 years, and the longest 50 years. From ground burial to mausoleum burial. The ground burials were very different one was dry and intact with a hard mummified skin with the eyes and nose gone. Body still looked pretty good and stayed attached. Another one was very waxy and gooie. The 50 year case was all skeleton with a waxy looking goo around the body, even though it looked wet it was hard and lifted right out of the casket. The mausoleum case was all skeleton and dry and was all intact until it was moved.
March 7th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Hehe