decomposition of a corpse

[cumbrianlad]

does anyone know how long it takes a buried body ( in a coffin) to completely decompose.

[Velvetee]

Hmmm and why would you want to know that???

[cumbrianlad]

just interested- Im told that in British Cemeteries you can by law re-bury in old graves after 100 years, as burial space is fast being used up and not everyone wants to be cremated I was just wondering- dont worry- I haven't killed anyone.

[Velvetee]

I did wonder. I would imagine a body would decompose in a matter of months, although the bones would always remain.

I think the reason why councils allow a site to be reused after 100 years is because, by then most relatives would, themselves have passed on and no one would be available to protest.

[ELVIS68]

What about the relatives of the person buried there, do they get told of this or do they turn up and find a new headstone and think.... "Oh, they must have moved"?

[zig.zag]

this one sends a shiver lol

[ELVIS68]

Sorry Velvetee, missed your post, but some generations last for many years

[baileybird]

I always thought that a lot depended on the burial conditions - different soil types, sheltered areas, weather conditions etc. and also what the deceased died from - I know cancer sufferers decompose at a quicker rate.
I would have thought a body would decompose fairly slowly underground where the air/elements cannot get to it.

[zig.zag]

the worms do a good job baileybird
god created all lol

[Velvetee]

I expect the council would put a notice out requesting relatives to come forwards. I doubt after 100 years few relatives would even be aware of where their long since dead relations were buried.

When my mum sadly dies, she will want to be buried, but in 100 years time no one who remembered her will still be living. My Great Great Grand children probaby won't even be aware she ever existed.

[zig.zag]

i'm up for a good burn out
ashes on ebay

[ELVIS68]

Surely once you`ve been laid to rest then you should remain there, even if you`ve had no visitors for 100 years, one of your great great grandchildren might like to pay you a visit

[Velvetee]

I'd like to be Cremated (when I'm dead) and then have my ashes made into a Diamond for my closest surviving relative to cherish.

[NoMercy]

This can actually depend on the kind of diet the deceased had during their lifetime. The average cadaver now takes 2 years longer to decompose due to the number of preservatives and additives in our daily diet. Someone who ate a mostly organic diet would decompose more quickly than someone who, say, ate mostly foods that are processed. There is a component in coca cola that turns to formeldahyde in the body, and formeldahyde is a well know ingredients used in the preservation of specimens and in embalming.

[Mamyalynne]

my husband died last august and we got the last plot in a very large cemetery and there are graves there going back well over a hundred years. We were lucky as was his wish and room for me too, but i do not know what the future holds, nor should we dwell on it.

I also suppose decomposition would be slower in a lead or similar lined coffin?? What thoughts keep us awake at night ?

[baileybird]

How interesting!!
I drink tons of diet coke :-(
I will be in the ground forever!!!!!

[NoMercy]

Of course it also depends on where you are buried.

Louisiana state law requires all deceased to be buried above ground, due to its swampy condition.

I think I'll forego the cream doughnut, btw!

[zig.zag]

you shouldn't be afraid mamyalynne
we were all put here for a purpose
death isn't the end
were ever evolving

[Mamyalynne]

Oh gosh am not afraid meant what the questioner was asking ,my only problem is still missing my soul mate. But we have to keep going for future generations. I have a lifetime of memories, didnt mean to deepen an otherwise lighthearted thread. Still have a sense of humour and fun .

Mamyax

[ELVIS68]

Good for you mamya

[NoMercy]

http://www.wowzone.com/death.htm

This is the poem we had at my brother's funeral. It is a very well-known one!