{"id":5046,"date":"2025-04-08T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/?p=5046"},"modified":"2025-04-04T16:46:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T16:46:37","slug":"this-is-what-really-happens-when-you-die","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/2025\/04\/08\/this-is-what-really-happens-when-you-die\/","title":{"rendered":"This is what REALLY happens when you die"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-post-title” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#dd1881″ header_font_size=”44px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

This is what REALLY happens when you die<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”intro-wrap” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Abel||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Just like rip-off mobile phone contracts and the burden of taxes, death is a fact of life. But what really lies in wait for us when we shuffle off this mortal coil?<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149694496-e1743784223866.jpg” title_text=”Nurse pushing patient lying on hospital gurney into bright light of death” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#111111″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-2.75%||||false|false” custom_padding=”4px|8px|4px|8px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

‘OMG I’m heading into the light – am I dead?’ – ‘No sir, we’ve got LED lights on this ward..’<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Okay, let\u2019s get something out of the way right from the start \u2013 most of us fear death. Comedian Woody Allen put it best, when he said he wasn\u2019t afraid of dying \u2013 he just didn\u2019t want to be there when it happened.
Unfortunately for Woody \u2013 and the rest of us – it\u2019s the singularly most inevitable thing in our lives, so we might as well know what\u2019s going to happen, right? As the old saying goes, fail to prepare, prepare to fail \u2013 though not sure anyone has yet managed to fail at snuffing it. So, what do we have to look forward to? A whole lot of exciting bodily changes, chemical interactions and electrical brain activity that might even explain visions of the afterlife. So what are you waiting for, let\u2019s have a deep dive into, er, death!<\/p>\n

The final days\u2026<\/strong>
The good news for anyone who enjoys a bit of shut-eye is that our final days before departure involve A LOT of sleep. (Obvs we\u2019re talking about natural death here not some kind of horrifying accident, there\u2019s no sleep before that – unless you fall asleep at the wheel of your car!)\u00a0 This increase in sleeping is simply due to the fact there\u2019s less oxygen-rich blood being pumped around the body. With more sleep, comes less need for nourishment and appetite will rapidly decrease, incontinence will increase. Vital signs will drop, temperature, respiration rate.. things are slowing down. Amid this, there may be sudden episodes that seem almost as if there\u2019s a burst of energy, but only momentarily.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The last moments\u2026<\/strong>
Towards the end, sleep turns into unconsciousness. During this time, the senses of touch and hearing are still functioning \u2013 you\u2019ll still feel the touch of loved ones and hear their voices. Changes in breathing signal that the end is almost nigh. As gaps between each breath become larger, saliva gathers at the back of the throat causing the infamous \u2018death rattle\u2019. Eventually, you will take your final breath\u2026<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-513428421.jpg” title_text=”Teenage feet in morgue with copy space” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#111111″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-2.75%||||false|false” custom_padding=”4px|8px|4px|8px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Who said death isn’t fashionable – this body sure knows how to wear a label!\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Slipping over into the other side\u2026<\/strong>
As the heart stops beating, the brain is starved of oxygen but it still keeps functioning for at least a few minutes. Nobody can be sure what that will feel like, but the possibility of knowing that you\u2019re dead is deemed impossible. Some scientists have spoken of \u2018seven minutes or more\u2019 of brain activity after death, though what that includes, no-one knows. It\u2019s been speculated that it could be playing back memories or dreaming\u2026<\/p>\n

Visions of the afterlife\u2026<\/strong>
So could this sudden burst of brain activity explain the numerous reports of NDEs (near death experiences) where patients who\u2019d been resuscitated have reported being suddenly aware of seeing themselves from above or floating along a tunnel towards light and previously deceased relatives? Again, no-one can be sure, but in recent tests, experts measured bursts of gamma ray activity in the brains of some people after they died \u2013 these bursts are associated with memory and cognition, and the area of the brain where they happened is particularly associated with dreams and out-of-body sensations. The good news is this; whether or not you believe in life after death, it seems we might all get a sense that there is as we enter a dreamlike state as we slip over to, well, whatever is next.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-1299703382-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Happy man rise hand Worship God in morning view. Christian spirit prayer praise on good friday background. Male self confidence empowerment on mission arm concept strength wisdom ambitious” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#111111″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-2.75%||||false|false” custom_padding=”4px|8px|4px|8px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Slipping over into the other side…looks a bit like slipping into a Black Hole. Yikes!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

The body begins to deteriorate\u2026<\/strong>
Meanwhile, back in the physical realm, our bodies are going through huge changes. Muscles immediately relax after death (yup, the stories about bodies pooping and peeing are true!) and body temperature drops by about a degree per hour. Blood, now it\u2019s not being pumped around the body, gets pulled down by gravity \u2013 so basically if you\u2019re facing up, you\u2019ll have a very pale front and a very colourful back! Rigor mortis will then kick in about two hours after you croak as you become as stiff as a board for 24 hours, then go floppy again. Sounds a bit like taking an overdose of Viagra!<\/p>\n

You\u2019re full of life – literally!<\/strong>
You might be dearly departed, but for all the billions of bacteria in your body, your death signals the beginning of party time. When you were alive, there was a delicate balance as you kept bacteria in your digestive system, but your immune system worked hard to keep them out of your other important organs and tissues. Sadly, when you snuff it, those naughty bacteria start to go on the rampage as they explore every little bit of you and feed on you from the inside. One study showed it takes about 2.5 days before bacteria have started to chow down on your liver, spleen, heart and brain.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-101689381.jpg” title_text=”Man lying on operating table in antiquated theatre” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#111111″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-2.75%||||false|false” custom_padding=”4px|8px|4px|8px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Embalming: Not scary for anyone who’s spent their life regularly soaking up alcohol!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Keeping up appearances<\/strong>
Now, if that bacterial digestion process was allowed to carry on, you\u2019d soon look pretty messy. It\u2019s for this reason \u2013 and to spare mourners the horror of seeing and smelling that process \u2013 that bodies are embalmbed. In essence, that means draining blood from your veins and replacing it by injecting a solution of formaldehyde and water. That won\u2019t last for long, but at least it\u2019ll keep you looking and smelling pretty good until you reach your final destination. Rest in peace!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

PICTURES:<\/strong> GETTY<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”flatplan-readmore” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#111111″ custom_padding=”35px||35px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”85%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Read more from Closer<\/h3>\n

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Meghan and Harry\u2019s last resort ‘therapy’<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ module_class=”read-more-item” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”85%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/07\/bwbnewn.jpg” title_text=”bwbnewn” module_class=”read-more-thumbnail” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_class=”read-more-headline” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”16px” link_option_url=”https:\/\/apple.news\/A0bBtVJeIRiSYmqM4nlVh6g” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

The sexy secrets behind Sofia Vergara\u2019s dirty divorce<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just like rip-off mobile phone contracts and the burden of taxes, death is a fact of life. But what really lies in wait for us when we shuffle off this mortal coil?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":5048,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11,10,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diet-and-body","category-entertainment","category-real-life"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"closermag","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5046"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5055,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5046\/revisions\/5055"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/closer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}