Death

===Signs===
{{main|Stages of death}}

Signs of death or strong indications that a [[endotherm|warm-blooded animal]] is no longer alive are:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australian Department of Health and Aged Care |date=June 2021 |title=The physical process of dying |url=https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/the-physical-process-of-dying |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=Health Direct |archive-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301223347/https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/the-physical-process-of-dying |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Respiratory arrest]] (no [[breathing]])
* [[Cardiac arrest]] (no [[heart rate|pulse]])
* [[Brain death]] (no neuronal activity)

The stages that follow after death are:<ref name="Dolinak-2005">{{Cite book |last1=Dolinak |first1=David |title=Forensic Pathology: Principles and Practice |last2=Matshes |first2=Evan |last3=Lew |first3=Emma O. |publisher=[[Elsevier Academic Press]] |isbn=978-0-08-047066-5 |date= 2005 |page=526}}</ref>
* {{lang|la|[[Pallor mortis]]}}, paleness which happens in 15–120 minutes after death
* {{lang|la|[[Algor mortis]]}}, the reduction in body temperature following death. This is generally a steady decline until matching ambient temperature
* {{lang|la|[[Rigor mortis]]}}, the limbs of the corpse become stiff (Latin ''rigor'') and difficult to move or manipulate
* {{lang|la|[[Livor mortis]]}}, a settling of the blood in the lower (dependent) portion of the body
* [[Putrefaction]], the beginning signs of decomposition
* [[Decomposition]], the reduction into simpler forms of matter, accompanied by a strong, unpleasant odor.
* [[Skeletonization]], the end of decomposition, where all soft tissues have decomposed, leaving only the skeleton.
* [[Fossil]]ization, the natural preservation of the skeletal remains formed over a very long period
[[File:Postmortem interval changes (stages of death).png|thumb|center|upright=3|Timeline of postmortem changes (stages of death)]]