What Happens When You Die?

When the time comes for you to pass away, what unfolds afterward? Despite our predominantly science-oriented perspectives on death in modern times, it appears that many of us hold a belief in life beyond it.

In 2014, a survey conducted by the Telegraph in the UK revealed that just under 60 percent of respondents professed a belief in the persistence of some part of our existence beyond death.

In the United States, a nation with a strong Christian tradition, Pew Research conducted a survey in 2015 to inquire about people's beliefs regarding the afterlife.

According to the survey, 72 percent of Americans believed in the concept of going to heaven, which was described as a place where individuals who have led virtuous lives are eternally rewarded. A further 54 percent of U.S. adults expressed their belief in the existence of hell, described as a realm where those who have led wicked lives and have not repented are eternally punished.

With this in mind, welcome to this episode of the Infographics Show, where we explore the question, "What happens when you die?" Don't forget to subscribe and click the bell icon to join our Notification Squad.

It appears that a significant number of people entertain the idea that after death, we might find ourselves in a paradisiacal realm adorned with clouds. Conversely, if we have not adhered to the moral principles dictated by our chosen religion or denomination, we may confront the possibility of eternal damnation and the prospect of supplicating to a bearded red figure who rarely relinquishes his pitchfork.

However, let's commence our exploration with a dose of empirical realism and an examination of what transpires in the body upon the moment of death.

Medical practitioners ascertain one's demise when the heart ceases to beat, and there is no longer any electrical activity in the brain. Brain death signifies the end of life, even though machines can sustain a semblance of existence for a brief period.

Another scenario is a cardiac death, which occurs when the heart stops beating, and the flow of blood through the body ceases. Astonishingly, individuals who have experienced cardiac death and have been revived often report awareness of their surroundings during the ordeal. Some have described walking toward a radiant light in near-death experiences. It is feasible to resuscitate someone from clinical death, but this opportunity is confined to a narrow window of 4 to 6 minutes.

However, should you traverse toward the luminous destination and progress beyond it, this marks the onset of biological death – the endgame, the ultimate cessation of life. At this juncture, things may take a rather undignified turn, though that's of little concern, as the subject in question is devoid of life.

Once you have unequivocally departed from the realm of the living, your muscles will relax, including the sphincter, leading to the unintended expulsion of any recent culinary indulgences, potentially resulting in a pungent odor as gaseous byproducts escape. This process also applies to the contents of your bladder. Remarkably, male individuals might even experience postmortem ejaculation. For pregnant women, there exists a rare phenomenon referred to as "coffin birth," in which the gases in the abdomen facilitate the birthing process posthumously. As the body expels its trapped contents, air may emit sounds from the mouth. Nurses and individuals in proximity to the deceased have frequently reported hearing moans and groans that eerily resemble signs of life.

In the moments following death, muscle contractions may produce twitches, but these are not indicative of life. If the deceased were positioned on their stomach at the time of death, they may soon experience postmortem erections due to the flow of blood to certain areas of the body. Without the circulation of blood, the body gradually cools down, a state known as "algor mortis" or "death chill." This cooling continues until the body reaches the ambient temperature. Rigor mortis sets in within 2 to 6 hours as calcium enters the muscle cells.

In the absence of blood flow, cells disintegrate, leading to bacterial growth and the initiation of decomposition. While it may appear that your hair and nails are growing, this is an illusion caused by the receding of the skin. The skin eventually becomes loose, and blisters may form on the body.

The subsequent phase is putrefaction, as bacteria and microorganisms commence their consumption of the body. As decomposition advances, the odor intensifies, with one description likening it to a putrid combination of rotten eggs, feces, and a neglected toilet left unattended for an extended period. Soon, all soft tissues liquefy, while elements such as bones, cartilage, and hair remain relatively intact.

By the time a body is interred, it has already initiated the process of decomposition. If a body is embalmed and buried, the decomposition may progress at a slower pace. If left exposed, the body could transform into a liquefied state within approximately a month, becoming a source of sustenance for insects, maggots, plants, and animals. When buried, some experts suggest it might take 8 to 12 years for a body to reduce to nothing but a skeleton, with the bones themselves eventually becoming part of the Earth after approximately 50 years.

The rate of decomposition is subject to various factors, too numerous to enumerate here, but the overall picture is clear. While some individuals recount near-death experiences as awe-inspiring journeys, others describe them as a void devoid of thoughts or consciousness, much like the perspective of French philosopher René Descartes, who posited that the soul exists independently of the body, as many religions assert. In this light, it's conceivable that something endures after death.

Friedrich Nietzsche explored the concept of eternal recurrence, suggesting that all energy and existence in the universe repeat endlessly and infinitely, with individuals living the same life in perpetuity. This idea may motivate us to lead virtuous lives.

Drawing parallels, Buddhism introduces the concept of the "Wheel of Samsara," wherein all souls and lives begin anew after death, though not necessarily in the same form. This is akin to the notion of reincarnation, often linked to the phenomenon known as déjà vu. Buddhists believe that breaking this cyclic existence requires achieving enlightenment, ultimately attaining nirvana.

The afterlife is a concept filled with intrigue and mystery, with diverse beliefs spanning a spectrum of possibilities. Whether we transcend to a heavenly realm, sow the seeds of future lives, or simply find solace in the dust, it remains a question without a definitive answer.