Do Corpses Need Jenny Craig?

[Chesterton]

I saw a video where this lady claims that in frozen condition, dead bodies can double in weight. I've never heard of this before. Is this true, and if so, what would cause it? Maybe she means it's due to ice accumulating on the body? But that's not really how she words it, and ice can be mostly removed from a body if you're trying to transport it, which is what she's talking about. I'd like to think she knows what she's talking about because she claims to be a professional mortician, and I've always given more credence to the professionals than those who mortician as a hobby.

She mentions it briefly at 2:30 in the below video:

 

[Subduction Zone]

I saw a video where this lady claims that in frozen condition, dead bodies can double in weight. I've never heard of this before. Is this true, and if so, what would cause it? Maybe she means it's due to ice accumulating on the body? But that's not really how she words it, and ice can be mostly removed from a body if you're trying to transport it, which is what she's talking about. I'd like to think she knows what she's talking about because she claims to be a professional mortician, and I've always given more credence to the professionals than those who mortician as a hobby.

She mentions it briefly at 2:30 in the below video:

Many of the bodies that are now being recovered were on glaciers when they died. Glaciers have two zones. An accumulation zone where the snow collects, getting deeper and deeper until the ice itself slowly flows down the slope. Bodies on glaciers will get buried in snow, which eventually compacts to ice. As they go downslope they cross over into the ablation zone. That is the point where the glacier begins to melt faster than it accumulates snow. Global warming has both sped up how fast glaciers move and fast they melt. Bodies that were on the mountain for a long time are beginning to reappear. Just legs and hands or arms first. It sounds like they have to be chopped out of the ice. That process would leave quite a bit of ice attached to the body. Therefore the "gain" in weight. You can read more here:

Melting glaciers reveal Everest bodies

 

[jayem]

The skin of a corpse immersed in fresh water will absorb water by simple osmosis. Which will add weight. If it freezes at this point, then it will be heavier than it was pre-mortem. But in most cases, the saturated skin will begin to peel away after a week or so. And if the body is in a fresh water lake, it will quickly become a food source for fish and other wildlife.

 

[Subduction Zone]

The skin of a corpse immersed in fresh water will absorb water by simple osmosis. Which will add weight. If it freezes at this point, then it will be heavier than it was pre-mortem. But in most cases, the saturated skin will begin to peel away after a week or so. And if the body is in a fresh water lake, it will quickly become a food source for fish and other wildlife.

I don't think that would apply on the slopes of Everest. Where the people died there is no liquid water.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Maybe cavities that are usually filled with air get filled with ice.

 

[Chesterton]

Maybe cavities that are usually filled with air get filled with ice.

Like snow entering through an open mouth and nostrils? The dead aren't inhaling, so I'm not sure how much could make it's way in, certainly not enough to double the weight. Honestly, I distrust this lady's competence. I guarantee you, when I die, I'm taking my business elsewhere.