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Name: Patrice M.
Status: other
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001
Question:
How long does it take for an embalmed body to decay? Does it poison the earth around it as it decomposes?

Replies:
I am not a mortician but I believe that the methods used these days to preserve bodies prevents significant decay for quite a while. Not only is the body embalmed, which prevents microbial decay, but the coffin is airtight and there is usually (often?) a cement crypt around the coffin. Besides the organisms that are buried with the deceased (on the body and in the coffin already) it is difficult for decomposers to get at the body. I do not have an exact figure for you though.

vanhoeck

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