Decomposition is the biological process by which organic material breaks down after death. This process begins the moment life ceases and is a complex interaction between internal chemistry and external environments. Understanding what a body looks like after two months requires acknowledging that the coffin environment introduces variables that modify the natural timeline of decay. This article explores the biological reality of this specific 60-day timeline within the context of a typical burial.
The Initial Biological Stages of Decay
The internal breakdown begins immediately through two primary biological mechanisms, irrespective of the burial conditions. The first is autolysis, or cellular self-digestion, which starts within minutes of death. Without circulation and oxygen, the body’s internal environment becomes increasingly acidic, causing cell membranes to rupture. These compromised membranes release the cells’ own digestive enzymes, which begin to break down the surrounding tissues.
The second major phase is putrefaction, driven by the body’s resident bacteria, primarily those residing in the gut. Once the immune system fails, these anaerobic bacteria proliferate and begin consuming the tissues. This bacterial activity produces a mixture of gases, including methane and hydrogen sulfide, which initiate visible changes. The sulfur-containing compounds react with blood, causing a greenish-black discoloration of the skin, often beginning in the lower abdomen.
How Burial Conditions Alter Decomposition Rate
The coffin and the surrounding earth create a moderated environment that significantly alters the speed and pathway of decay. A closed coffin, especially a sealed metal one, prevents the entry of large insects like blowflies, which accelerate decomposition in surface environments. However, this sealing also creates an anaerobic (low-oxygen) environment inside the casket, which favors the bacteria that produce putrefactive gases.
Temperature plays a determining role, as the soil temperature six feet below the surface is cooler and more stable than the air above ground. This lower, consistent temperature slows the metabolic rate of the bacteria, retarding the overall decay process compared to a body left exposed. Soil composition is another modifier; sandy soil promotes desiccation and can lead to mummification, while saturated clay soil retains moisture and favors the formation of adipocere, or grave wax. The material of the casket itself dictates the rate of moisture exchange and access for soil microorganisms.
Visual and Structural Changes After Two Months
By the two-month mark, an unembalmed body in a standard burial environment is typically deep into the advanced decay stage, moving toward skeletonization. The initial bloat phase, driven by putrefactive gases, has usually peaked and subsided, often resulting in the collapse of the soft tissues as the gases escape. At this stage, the body’s structure is severely compromised, and the majority of the soft tissues, including internal organs and muscle, have liquefied into a dark, viscous fluid.
The skin is extensively discolored, often a dark, mottled brown or black, a process known as marbling, where hydrogen sulfide from bacteria spreads through the veins. Skin slippage is complete, meaning the outer layer of the epidermis has separated from the underlying tissue, giving the remains a dark, wet appearance. The face and extremities would be largely unrecognizable, with the eyes and nose having decomposed rapidly.
Depending on the specific conditions of moisture and oxygen within the coffin, a waxy, soap-like substance called adipocere may have begun to form, particularly in areas of high fat content. This saponification process occurs in wet, anaerobic environments and can preserve the original contours of the body for an extended period. Conversely, if the environment is dry and the coffin is not perfectly sealed, a leathery mummification of the remaining soft tissues might be observed. In the absence of these specific preservation effects, the body at 60 days will consist primarily of bones, hair, and ligaments, surrounded by a significant amount of decomposed, liquefied tissue.
The Impact of Embalming on the Timeline
The practice of embalming changes the biological trajectory of decomposition over the two-month period. Embalming involves injecting a chemical solution, primarily containing formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, into the arterial system. These chemicals work by denaturing the proteins in the body, fixing the tissues and making them unsuitable food sources for the putrefactive bacteria.
This chemical intervention effectively halts autolysis and kills many of the bacteria responsible for putrefaction, drastically slowing the timeline of decay. An embalmed body buried for two months, particularly in a sealed casket, will appear significantly more intact than its unembalmed counterpart. The chemical effects can delay the onset of advanced decay by years or even decades in an optimal burial environment. The body may still show signs of dehydration and discoloration, but the structural integrity of the tissues remains largely preserved, resulting in a state closer to how it appeared immediately after burial.