The unnatural appearance of a deceased person often stems from a combination of factors related to the death process and post-mortem handling. The changes in a body after death can make it look unlike how the person appeared in life.
Post-Mortem Changes Affecting Appearance
Several post-mortem changes contribute to the appearance of a deceased person looking artificial. These include:
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Discoloration: Skin discoloration, such as pallor or cyanosis (bluish discoloration), can occur due to internal bleeding or lack of oxygen. This can dramatically alter a person's complexion, making it look unnatural. Furthermore, livor mortis, the settling of blood due to gravity, creates purplish patches that can distort the appearance.
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Facial Changes: Trauma, such as a broken jaw or cuts, can significantly alter facial features. These injuries, coupled with post-mortem changes, can lead to a distorted and unrealistic appearance.
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Rigor Mortis: The stiffening of muscles after death can cause unnatural positioning of the body and limbs, adding to the unreal appearance.
The Role of Morticians and Funeral Directors
The process of preparing a body for viewing also impacts its appearance:
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Cosmetics: Morticians employ cosmetics to restore a more lifelike appearance. While this attempts to create a natural look, the very act of using cosmetics can contribute to a somewhat artificial effect, particularly if the application is heavy-handed or attempts to mask significant damage.
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Clothing and Hair: The arrangement of clothing and hair by funeral directors further impacts the overall look. While aiming for a peaceful and natural presentation, this manipulation can still create a sense of artificiality if the result is too carefully or formally arranged.
In summary, the perception of dead bodies as "fake" is a combination of the natural changes that occur after death, and the intentional efforts of morticians to restore or enhance the appearance of the deceased.
