It’s a haunting yet natural question: what exactly happens to the human body after death? YouTube creator @Zackdfilms explores this in a simulation that breaks down the stages of decomposition in fascinating—and chilling—detail.
Within the first 24 hours after death, blood begins to settle in the lowest parts of the body due to gravity, creating purplish-red discoloration known as livor mortis. This is commonly seen on the back when a body is lying face up in a coffin.
As the days pass, bacteria and internal enzymes begin breaking down the body’s organs. Before that happens, however, trapped gases cause the body to bloat. This bloating can be dramatic and is one of the early visual signs of decomposition.
After a few weeks, the internal organs and soft tissues, including the eyes, begin to liquefy. The eyes, in particular, often melt completely, which many viewers found to be the most unsettling part of the process.