The Eternal Legacy of Your Necrobiome: How Your Microbes Sustain Life Beyond Death

Trillions of microorganisms that reside in the human body continue to live on and play a crucial role in recycling the body after death. These symbiotic bacteria, especially Clostridia, feed on the breakdown products of cells during decomposition and aid in the process of putrefaction. When the body is buried, these microbes are flushed into the soil, where they encounter a diverse microbial community. Recent research suggests that these host-associated microbes are not only alive in the soil but also cooperate with native soil microbes to enhance decomposition rates and nitrogen cycling. This microbial activity contributes to the recycling of nutrients from dead bodies, supporting new life in ecosystems.