How do morticians take out the brain?

Morticians and pathologists remove the brain by making an incision across the scalp, reflecting the skin, and using an autopsy saw to cut and lift the skull cap (calvarium), then carefully severing the cranial nerves and blood vessels to lift the brain out for examination or processing, often for research, which involves meticulous dissection of its connections to the spinal cord and base of the skull.

Do morticians take out the brain?

No, morticians (embalmers) do not typically remove the brain during routine preparation for a funeral; the brain stays in the skull. Brain removal is part of an autopsy, performed by pathologists for medical or legal reasons, where organs are examined, weighed, and sometimes sampled, but if removed, they are typically returned and placed in the body cavity before embalming and viewing.
 

What happens to the brain 7 minutes after death?

About 7 minutes after the heart stops and oxygen to the brain ceases, the brain experiences a final, intense burst of electrical activity, with neurons firing wildly, potentially explaining "life flashing before your eyes" or near-death experiences (NDEs) as memories are rapidly recalled, but this activity quickly fades as brain cells die, leading to irreversible brain death. This surge involves gamma waves in memory centers, a "wave of death" on EEGs, marking the irreversible loss of function.
 

Is the brain always removed during autopsy?

Throughout the autopsy, the pathologist records everything on a body diagram and in recorded verbal notes. If a complete internal examination is called for, the pathologist removes and dissects the chest, abdominal and pelvic organs, and (if necessary) the brain.

Is the brain removed before cremation?

Removing organs before cremation is not traditionally required and typically does not happen in normal cases. Even if an autopsy is performed, the organs remain in the body and are cremated along with everything else.

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Why is the tongue removed during autopsy brain?

Why is the tongue removed during autopsy? The tongue is removed during autopsy to thoroughly examine the oral cavity, access other throat structures, document any abnormalities, take tissue samples for further examination, and eliminate obstruction.

Which body part does not burn in cremation?

During cremation, bones and teeth (specifically enamel) are the body parts that don't fully burn away; all soft tissues vaporize, leaving behind mineralized bone fragments, which are then processed into the fine powder known as "ashes," along with any surviving tooth enamel. Metallic implants, jewelry, and casket parts also survive but are removed separately. 

Which organ dies last after death?

The brain, specifically the brainstem, is generally considered the last functional organ to die, as its electrical activity can persist briefly after breathing and heartbeat stop, but tissues like skin, corneas, and connective tissues (hair, nails, tendons) are the last to lose viability, potentially lasting hours to days due to their lower oxygen demand, with skin/eye cells surviving the longest for donation purposes. 

Why do morticians remove eyes?

Setting the features is a mortuary term for the closing of the eyes and the mouth of a deceased person such that the cadaver is presentable as being in a state of rest and repose, and thus more suitable for viewing.

What happens the first 5 minutes after death?

For the first few minutes of the postmortem period, brain cells may survive. The heart can keep beating without its blood supply. A healthy liver continues breaking down alcohol. And if a technician strikes your thigh above the kneecap, your leg likely kicks, just as it did at your last reflex test with a physician.

How long after death are you aware?

Consciousness is lost within seconds as the brain runs out of oxygen after the heart stops, but recent science shows a surge of gamma brain waves (linked to memory recall, out-of-body feelings) lasting up to a minute or more after cardiac arrest, with some studies detecting activity for up to an hour during CPR, suggesting a brief period of awareness or intense brain activity might occur as the brain shuts down, even if true conscious experience ceases quickly. 

Why shouldn't you fear death?

You shouldn't fear death because it's a natural, inevitable part of life, and accepting it can bring peace, focus your priorities, and encourage living fully in the present, as holding onto life too tightly stems from attachment, while embracing impermanence offers liberation and meaning, with philosophies like Epicurus suggesting fear of death is irrational since "when I am, death is not, and when death is, I am not". 

Why do doctors check eyes after death?

Doctors check eyes after death primarily for forensic clues to help estimate the time of death, determine the cause of death, or for organ donation, as the eyes undergo predictable changes like pupil dilation, clouding (corneal haziness), and changes in the vitreous humor, which can reveal toxins or disease. The eyes offer unique windows into the body's condition at the moment life ceased. 

What organ stops working last after death?

The brain is generally considered the last major organ to stop functioning, exhibiting electrical activity for minutes after the heart stops, though different cells die at different rates, with skin and certain tissues potentially surviving longer. The brain's memory center might be the final part to shut down, possibly replaying life moments, while hearing is thought to be the last sense to go, responding to sound even when unconscious. 

How do morticians close the deceased mouth?

Morticians keep a deceased person's mouth closed using techniques like needle injectors with wires, sutures (sewing), or mouth formers (plastic devices) to hold the jaw shut, often combined with stuffing cotton in the throat and using glue for lips/eyelids to set facial features for a natural appearance during viewings.
 

What does God say about cremation of the body?

The Bible doesn't directly forbid or command cremation, focusing more on the soul's journey, but it does show examples of both burial (common practice) and burning bodies for respectful reasons, like honoring King Saul. While burial was the cultural norm, many modern Christian interpretations see cremation as acceptable, viewing the resurrection as God's spiritual act, not dependent on the body's physical state. The key message is respecting the body and trusting God, making the choice between burial and cremation a personal decision based on faith, tradition, or practicalities, not a sin. 

What happens 2 minutes before death?

In the final minutes before death, a person experiences significant physical changes, including erratic breathing (like pauses or gasps), cooling extremities, weak pulse, and muscle relaxation, leading to jaw dropping or eyes half-closed, as the body conserves energy and systems begin to shut down, though brain activity might show a final burst of electrical activity, potentially creating a fleeting moment of clarity before consciousness ceases.
 

Are eyes and mouth sewn during embalming?

Your loved ones eyes are closed using glue or plastic eye caps that sit on the eye and hold the eyelid in place. The lower jaw is secured by wires or sewing. Once the jaw is secured the mouth can be manipulated into the desired position.

Can a body feel pain during cremation?

Cremation turns the body of someone who has died into ashes. This is only done after a person has died, so they do not see or feel anything.

What happens 30 minutes after death?

About 30 minutes after death, the body shows early signs of physical changes like pallor mortis (paleness from blood draining) and the beginning of livor mortis (blood settling, causing purplish patches), as circulation stops, while cells begin to break down and body temperature starts to drop (algor mortis), leading into the eventual stiffening of muscles (rigor mortis) and decomposition. 

Is death scary or peaceful?

Death is a complex experience, but often the process of dying can be peaceful as consciousness fades, with many near-death experiencers reporting calm, while the concept of death itself remains scary due to the unknown, fear of the unknown afterlife or nothingness, and unresolved life issues, though philosophically, being dead isn't a state of harm because you aren't there to experience it. It's both, depending on the person, their beliefs, and the circumstances, with the fear largely rooted in the unknown rather than the actual state of being dead. 

When someone passes away, do they visit you?

Many people wonder if their departed loved ones visit them after death. Spiritual beliefs vary widely, but many cultures and religions hold that our connections with those who have passed continue in some form. Some believe that after death, loved ones can reach out through dreams, signs, or other subtle ways.

Is your DNA still in your ashes?

In most cases, the extreme heat of cremation – ranging from 760 – 982°C or 1400 – 1800°F – destroys DNA completely, meaning that it's not possible to get a viable DNA sample from ashes.

What does God say about keeping ashes?

It's important to note that there are no explicit verses addressing cremation or the keeping of ashes.

Does the belly button burn during cremation?

No, the belly button does not "burn" in the sense of feeling pain; it's a myth that it remains intact, as all soft tissues, including skin, fat, and organs (like the navel area), vaporize in the intense heat (over 1800°F) of cremation, leaving only bone fragments that are later processed into ashes. While fatty tissues might liquefy or vaporize differently, they still disappear, and nothing special is left behind from the belly button.