Decomposition is the natural process where organic matter breaks down after death, driven by internal and external forces. When a body is placed in a coffin and interred, the environment is immediately altered, setting the stage for a unique transformation. The container seals the remains from the surrounding soil, creating a micro-environment that slows, but does not stop, the changes. Understanding what a body looks like after three months requires examining the specific conditions of a typical burial. While this process is highly variable, forensic science can describe the most common outcomes for a body nearing the 90-day mark in a closed environment.
Early Stages of Decomposition in a Coffin
The decomposition process begins immediately upon death with autolysis, or self-digestion, at the cellular level. Without oxygen, cells become acidic, causing membranes to rupture and release digestive enzymes that break down surrounding tissues. This chemical breakdown is soon joined by putrefaction, the major cause of tissue degradation, driven by the vast number of bacteria residing in the gut. These anaerobic bacteria migrate out of the intestines and begin to consume the body’s tissues.
As the bacteria consume carbohydrates and proteins, they produce gases like hydrogen sulfide, methane, and carbon dioxide. These gases cause the body to swell significantly during the “bloat” stage, often starting within days. In a closed coffin, this gas buildup can be intense, creating a pressure cooker effect that accelerates the breakdown of internal organs. Within a few weeks, the skin often takes on a discolored, greenish-black appearance due to the reaction of sulfur compounds with blood pigments.
By the two-month mark, the body enters the “active decay” stage. The initial bloating collapses as the pressure is released, and fluids resulting from tissue breakdown, called purge fluid, begin to escape. This fluid release signals that major soft tissues are rapidly breaking down. This phase is characterized by extensive tissue loss and the liquefaction of organs and muscle, leading toward the three-month milestone.
The Appearance of the Body at Three Months
At three months post-burial, a body in a typical coffin is in a state of advanced decay, often called the late active decay stage. The most striking change is the loss of anatomical form as the majority of soft tissues have undergone significant liquefaction. Internal organs, such as the viscera and brain, will have largely dissolved into a thick, sludge-like consistency due to the combined action of autolysis and putrefaction.
The body’s outer layers will have experienced extensive skin slippage and tissue loss, often revealing underlying structures. Where skin remains, it may be leathery, but in many areas, soft tissues are reduced to a dark, viscous residue. The body loses a substantial amount of its original mass through the release of fluids and gases. If the remains were not embalmed, facial features would be completely unrecognizable, having collapsed into the underlying bone structure.
At this 90-day point, the skeleton is typically held together by remaining ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, which decompose slower than muscle and fat. Significant portions of the bones, particularly the ribs, hands, and feet, may be exposed. The consistency of the remaining tissue is often described as a decaying paste clinging to the skeleton, mixed with deteriorating coffin lining and clothing. Teeth and nails may also begin to loosen or fall out as the surrounding soft tissues decay.
How Environment Affects the Outcome
The description of a body at three months is a baseline, but the final appearance can be altered by the specific environment within and surrounding the coffin. The rate of decomposition is highly dependent on factors like temperature, moisture, and oxygen availability. A body in warm, moist conditions will decompose much faster than one in a cold or dry setting.
Adipocere Formation
One major alternative outcome is the formation of adipocere, or “grave wax,” a waxy, soap-like substance. This occurs when fat tissues hydrolyze and hydrogenate, turning into saturated fatty acids. Adipocere formation is favored in cool, moist, and anaerobic (low-oxygen) environments, such as inside a sealed coffin or waterlogged soil. If adipocere forms, the body’s outline is preserved, and the overall rate of decomposition is significantly retarded.
Mummification
Conversely, in extremely dry or hot environments, the body may undergo mummification. This involves the rapid dehydration of tissues, which halts the bacterial activity necessary for putrefaction. Mummification can occur if a coffin is placed in a very dry crypt or in sandy, arid soil. This results in a dark, shriveled, and remarkably preserved appearance after three months.
The type of coffin also matters, as a tightly sealed metal casket restricts oxygen and moisture exchange more effectively than a simple wooden one. This restriction influences whether the body proceeds toward rapid decay, adipocere, or mummification.