Bowel emptying after death

[HereToday]

So I read that it's common for your bowels and bladder to empty after death, as all your muscles relax. Does anyone worry about this or consider it in their planning?

After doing some research into how long it takes for food to fully leave your body, 'a stomach that functions properly will empty in 4 to 6 hours. Food generally takes 5 hours to move through the small intestine and 10 to 59 hours to move through the colon.'

59 hours?!?!
So assuming you want to fast until all food has left your body, you'd have to fast a minimum of 19 hours, up to 70 hours- just under 3 days!

I'd be too weak if I had to fast for 3 days, so that's not an option for me.
Another thing people consider is wearing adult diapers. I'm not sure I'd like to die wearing a diaper.

Does anyone else think about this? What do you plan to do?

 

[Zoltiel]

If it's something that's common when people die, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

Fasting for 3 days isn't as hard as you think it is. The hunger goes away and you get bursts of energy throughout.

Some people do wear diapers when they CTB just to make it more pleasant for whoever finds them. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about it. In the broad spectrum of things it seems trivial to me as you'll you know... be dead.

 

[Pallf]

I've included that in my ctb plans. Now I do wonder if enough laxatives will do the job so a person wouldn't need to fast or wear a diaper.

 

[HereToday]

Fasting for 3 days isn't as hard as you think it is. The hunger goes away and you get bursts of energy throughout.

I have health issues that would make it impossible for me to fast that long, even after just 12 hours I'm so weak. But as you say I'll be dead so maybe I'm overthinking this

I've included that in my ctb plans. Now I do wonder if enough laxatives will do the job so a person wouldn't need to fast or wear a diaper.

I think I'd prefer to wear a diaper than spend my last day on the toilet lol

 

[Fragile]

this is definitely one of my considerations, i wont be found shitting the bed!

but i have it easy in many ways.
i have a very fast metabolism due to many gastric issues so i'll need way less fasting, and fasting shouldn't even be a problem since i tend to go days without eating due to not feeling the need to do so, depression can have some benefits i guess.

not only that, but i've been following a vegetarian diet for over 10 years and these kind of foods take way less than meat to digest. meats, specially red ones, are really hard to digest so they linger in your intestines for way longer even if you take a lot of fiber, i wont have to worry about that.

you don't need to fast for as long if you take a high fiber diet on the days prior to your CTB, but i can understand that meats are very tasty so it's up to you if you want to have a very delicious final meal and then deal with a longer fasting period.

 

[Pallf]

I have health issues that would make it impossible for me to fast that long, even after just 12 hours I'm so weak. But as you say I'll be dead so maybe I'm overthinking this


I think I'd prefer to wear a diaper than spend my last day on the toilet lol

I gotta say friend, I don't disagree at all haha. Laxatives are harsh.

 

[HereToday]

this is definitely one of my considerations, i wont be found shitting the bed!

but i have it easy in many ways.
i have a very fast metabolism due to many gastric issues so i'll need way less fasting, and fasting shouldn't even be a problem since i tend to go days without eating due to not feeling the need to do so, depression can have some benefits i guess.

not only that, but i've been following a vegetarian diet for over 10 years and these kind of foods take way less than meat to digest. meats, specially red ones, are really hard to digest so they linger in your intestines for way longer even if you take a lot of fiber, i wont have to worry about that.

you don't need to fast for as long if you take a high fiber diet on the days prior to your CTB, but i can understand that meats are very tasty so it's up to you if you want to have a very delicious final meal and then deal with a longer fasting period.

'I won't be found shitting the bed' gave me a good laugh! I'm vegetarian too, I hadn't even considered that. Thanks for your advice. I'll probably end up fasting roughly 12 hours, and if I shit I shit. I won't be the first or last. I also saw someone comment on another thread something along the lines of 'if I shit myself they'll just have to deal with it, like I dealt with the worlds shit my whole life'

 

[Farmmaa]

I have IBS, so can go for a week or more without going to the bathroom.
So... to avoid too much yuckiness, I've been taking Senokot every evening all week to keep things moving.
I will take a laxative the day before, because after two weeks of nothing... running to the toilet once things start is nothing new for me.

I am no expert by any means, but I don't think that your bowels empty right way … it's usually something that the coroner, medical examiner or funeral home staff have to deal with.

 

[AintNoWayOut]

doesnt bother me, my only goal is to die and end the pain. if that involves shitting my pants, so be it, a dead body doesnt look good anyways.

 

[Fragile]

'I won't be found shitting the bed' gave me a good laugh! I'm vegetarian too, I hadn't even considered that. Thanks for your advice. I'll probably end up fasting roughly 12 hours, and if I shit I shit. I won't be the first or last. I also saw someone comment on another thread something along the lines of 'if I shit myself they'll just have to deal with it, like I dealt with the worlds shit my whole life'

yes, 12 hours should be enough if you eat enough fiber and light food.

and that comment is brilliant! after all we wont be here to deal with the nasty sheets lol.

 

[mathieu]

A corpse is a fairly unpleasant thing to find, whether it has shat itself or not. I'm not going to worry about it.

 

[k75]

Everyone is worried about this, but you're going to pee too, you know.

 

[FreedomInDeath]

When people die in general they can shit and piss so why care, people who have dealt with people dying say 20 to 50% of people shit and even more piss. And if left out for a while bodies are disgusting. I always find it interesting that other animals decompose kind of gracefully and the human animal is absolute horror decomposing. It makes me feel a kind of justice for humans egoism.

 

[Quarky00]

I wouldn't worry about that. "Fast metabolism" or "fasting" would not solve this . When small intestines receives food it signals big intestines to contract. We never "shit what we eat" but previous 2 meals .You'd need laxatives and fasting 12h-16h (at least) . You really want diarrhea to be your last experience ? ;)

* stomach should empty in 1-3 hours (rarely 6) -> small 6-8h -> big 10-20h ...

 

[imagineit]

I get why someone isn't going to be worrying about this. I don't know why I even care but I have spent a lot time thinking about how I will do it and what the state of my body might be in when / if it is found. I don't know why I care so much but I feel like I have to make some sort of effort regarding appearances. Maybe silly but not the weirdest thing ever..

 

[Roger]

The King was very thoughtful, as legend has it that he snuffed it whilst sitting on the bog.

Uh-hu, than' you layz 'n' genermen.

 

[ctbUniquectb]

If you void yourself upon expiring, those finding you have bigger fish to fry when they find you. Pulling down your pants to confirm the source of the stink is closer to the bottom of their to do list than the top.

I'm not trying to be a massive jerk about this or anything, because you're being hugely empathic ... but pick your battles when it comes to this sort of thing?

EDIT TO ADD, FULL DISCLOSURE:
intestinal issues interrupted me while I was in the middle of catching the bus last year. So, squeamishness about the same body part functioning as designed gets my goat. Nothing personal against the OP.

 

[Enshadowed]

I actually thought a little about this last night as well. Read a couple articles by paramedics and first responders. Most of them said it is about 30-50 (estimate of people interviewed) percent of people do defecate after they pass. It does tend to be a bit higher if it involves poisoning too. A couple of them even said they call it a "Code Brown" when it does happen.

Ultimately though it will be one of the last things on my mind when the time comes I think.

 

[HereToday]

If you void yourself upon expiring, those finding you have bigger fish to fry when they find you. Pulling down your pants to confirm the source of the stink is closer to the bottom of their to do list than the top.

I'm not trying to be a massive jerk about this or anything, because you're being hugely empathic ... but pick your battles when it comes to this sort of thing?

EDIT TO ADD, FULL DISCLOSURE:
intestinal issues interrupted me while I was in the middle of catching the bus last year. So, squeamishness about the same body part functioning as designed gets my goat. Nothing personal against the OP.

You say to pick your battles but then say this 'gets your goat' lol
I'm pretty sure when you die the 'leakage' that comes out isn't dry, so it would go through your clothes and onto the bed sheets. So they wouldn't have to pull your pants down, it would be immediately obvious. Not everyone wants to be found in a pile of shit

 

[yetme]

So I read that it's common for your bowels and bladder to empty after death, as all your muscles relax. Does anyone worry about this or consider it in their planning?

After doing some research into how long it takes for food to fully leave your body, 'a stomach that functions properly will empty in 4 to 6 hours. Food generally takes 5 hours to move through the small intestine and 10 to 59 hours to move through the colon.'

59 hours?!?!
So assuming you want to fast until all food has left your body, you'd have to fast a minimum of 19 hours, up to 70 hours- just under 3 days!

I'd be too weak if I had to fast for 3 days, so that's not an option for me.
Another thing people consider is wearing adult diapers. I'm not sure I'd like to die wearing a diaper.

Does anyone else think about this? What do you plan to do?

you need only to empty your ehm... rectum. As soon as you die your stomach stops working so any food you digested during a day will stuck in it.
and yes it's better to empty your bladder.
that's only if you care how you gonna look like after death)

 

[ctbUniquectb]

You say to pick your battles but then say this 'gets your goat' ...

Not to flame, but since text removes nuance: there's no contradiction. I was suggesting the poster pick which (logistical, actually existing) hills to die on in real life. Issues that irritate me are only in my mind and make no difference at all.

... So they wouldn't have to pull your pants down, it would be immediately obvious ...

Politely again: I was figuratively highlighting just how little folks discovering corpses worry about poop.

... Not everyone wants to be found in a pile of shit ...

As this thread demonstrates, not everyone has an opinion on the subject. Lacking an opinion does not imply desiring to be found that way.

 

[k75]

 

[HereToday]

As this thread demonstrates, not everyone has an opinion on the subject. Lacking an opinion does not imply desiring to be found that way.

You're free to lack an opinion on the subject, or even have a different opinion. My question was intended for people who do share my opinion, asking how they will factor it into their planning. Whether you agree with my worrying about it or not is irrelevant really

 

[BPD Barbie]

It's a normal process, I wouldn't worry about it. Not much you can do to stop it. If you're worried about others then try to he found sooner rather than later. Put towels or something down under where you're laying, try to prepare the area as best you can. But it's normal, police, paramedics, they've seen it before. Don't worry.

 

[HereToday]

I get why someone isn't going to be worrying about this. I don't know why I even care but I have spent a lot time thinking about how I will do it and what the state of my body might be in when / if it is found. I don't know why I care so much but I feel like I have to make some sort of effort regarding appearances. Maybe silly but not the weirdest thing ever..

I don't think it's silly. Plenty of people worry about this sort of thing, I even saw a thread where someone was debating whether to have a leg wax before ctb. It's perfectly normal to worry about how we'll be found since appearance is such an important thing in our day to day lives, especially for women. I wish I could just disappear and never be found. Hate how we have no say in what happens to our bodies after death in terms of not wanting an autopsy etc

 

[BPD Barbie]

I don't think it's silly. Plenty of people worry about this sort of thing, I even saw a thread where someone was debating whether to have a leg wax before ctb. It's perfectly normal to worry about how we'll be found since appearance is such an important thing in our day to day lives, especially for women. I wish I could just disappear and never be found. Hate how we have no say in what happens to our bodies after death in terms of not wanting an autopsy etc

After and autopsy they will make sure the body is as presentable as possible. I know it still happens, but they don't just slice and dice. A good effort is put in to make sure you look as normal as possible afterwards. But the rest I understand. I plan to have a full face of makeup and my hair done etc.

 

[ctbUniquectb]

Your post

In that case, I sincerely wish you a most cleanly journey

 

[imagineit]

I don't think it's silly. Plenty of people worry about this sort of thing, I even saw a thread where someone was debating whether to have a leg wax before ctb. It's perfectly normal to worry about how we'll be found since appearance is such an important thing in our day to day lives, especially for women. I wish I could just disappear and never be found. Hate how we have no say in what happens to our bodies after death in terms of not wanting an autopsy etc

Agreed. And I share the allure of disappearing, but it just can't be the way. I can appreciate someone wanting to look nice in their own way. I will probably be Clean shaven myself. I am familiar with the practice of keeping up appearances despite being in complete denial of the moment, so it is fitting.

 

[HereToday]

After and autopsy they will make sure the body is as presentable as possible. I know it still happens, but they don't just slice and dice. A good effort is put in to make sure you look as normal as possible afterwards. But the rest I understand. I plan to have a full face of makeup and my hair done etc.

Something just doesn't sit right with me about people cutting me up against my will, removing my organs and weighing them, checking over my whole body and holding me hostage until they've finished dissecting me to their satisfaction. Don't even get me started on embalming, that whole process is crazy. If it were up to me they'd confirm I'm dead and then throw me straight into a hole in the ground. It might sound trivial to some since we'll obviously be dead at that point, but I'd just prefer my body to be left alone. I might write a note saying autopsies are against my religion and clearly stating my cause of death, and hope for the best