People Describe The Weirdest Thing Their Body Does That They Don't Really Talk About
Our bodies are miracle shells walking the face of the earth. We are complex entities. And there are many wonders about our bodies that elude us.
That Flowing Sensation
<p>"I have this sensation like sand flowing down the back of my head sometimes. It's quite weird."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghh7juc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">theyremineralsmaddie</a></p><p>"I get it too! I had someone tell me it's spinal fluid draining or something like that. I'm not entirely sure if they knew what they were talking about though."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhpb4j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Enbiss</a><br></p>There's A Name For This
<p>"I didn't know how to explain it for the longest time, but it's apparently the tensor tympani muscle contracting when you close your eyes really hard and squeeze, which causes a 'rumbling' noise?"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhe0k6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Defamashame</a><br></p>Who NOSE About This?
<p>"If I press the left side of the tip of my nose the cartilage will often click into place and hold that depressed position until I flare my nostrils and it pops back to normal."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghh5es1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CoderJoe1</a><br></p>That Shrinking Feeling
<p>"Ever been in an empty room and you get this really weird feeling as if you are super small and everything is massive??? Really strange feeling I would get. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this same feeling."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhac2g?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">True_Version<br></a></p><p>"Sounds like Alice in Wonderland syndrome maybe?"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhe1ci?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">serenadine</a></p><p>"This is what I was going to say. My son had it pretty frequently as a kid. He used to describe seeing stuff that sounded like he was on an acid trip ('the doorknob looks huge, but it also looks far away')."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghi6aqv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">char_limit_reached</a><br></p>The Nipple Effect
<p>"Sad nipple syndrome. It's a thing."</p><p><a href="https://theotherpress.ca/sad-nipple-syndrome/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"https://theotherpress.ca/sad-nipple-syndrome/"</a></p><p>"For those who have no idea what this is (understandable, it hasn't been researched and no one really knows why it happens), it's a strange, indescribable sensation that some people get when their nipples are touched. The best way I can describe the sensation is a mixture of dread, homesickness, nausea and, bizarrely, thirst. The feeling goes away after about 20 seconds or so once the nipple is no longer being touched."</p><p>"There doesn't seem to be anything obvious that links those who get it (such as past trauma or breastfeeding mothers), although it does mainly affect women."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhq13w?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">-bumble-bach-</a><br></p>It's Shocking
<p>"I get what's called 'brain zaps' ig, where you feel a burst of electricity go through your mind as you're trying to sleep at night. Mostly happens when stressed. Muscle spasms that occur in some parts of the body such as the legs."</p><p>"Edit: pretty sure its exploding head syndrome from what people have commented. A quick electrical current that travels around my brain within a split second, makes a kind of zinging sound then disappears after my brain is jolted awake again. Another comment mentioned the correct name for it though."</p><p>"Edit 2: just saying im not a doctor of any kind lol. When this happens I just let the moment pass and I eventually fall asleep as usual. Its not a serious condition, just something that happens every once in awhile and it can be scary."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghh6uah?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ciferus</a><br></p>Hidden Talent
<p>"I can pop my ankle bone on command when I do this weird circular movement. Only on my right ankle."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhbgwt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vlopez9867</a><br></p>Perpetual Pain
<p>"I am always in some sort of pain. It's not a normal pain. My body doesn't rest when I sleep and as a result I always experience muscle fatigue."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhei82?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HellaShaggy</a><br></p>So Excited
<p>"I shake when I'm talking about a topic I find exciting. This is why I'm usually not very chatty."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhdq47?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Prissy_Hobbit<br></a></p><p>"Aww this one is actually very cute. It's like your excitement is radiating off of you!"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhnjla?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">teacherjul</a><br></p>Chest Pain
<p>"I did tell some people in my family, but I have always randomly gotten this stinging pain inside the left side of my chest at random times. Whenever I breathed itd hurt more the deeper I breathed in, but once I breathed in a certain amount, I would be fine until I breathed deeper than the last breath. It rarely happens and has never lasted more than 5 minutes. Its strange."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghh638f?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ThatGuyAgain777</a><br></p>Remedy
<p>"Precordial catch syndrome as previously mentioned. I figured out a way to get rid of it - when you get the chest pain, sit down and bend over forwards like you're trying to touch your toes. Hold that position for 30 seconds or so. It stretches out the muscles in your back that are spasming and referring pain to your chest. Sounds crazy but 100% works!"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kmwmpj/what_is_something_weird_your_body_does_but_you/ghhppgn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">justinchy</a><br></p>Remember feeling invincible when you were younger? I certainly did until aging and reality gave me a big slap in the face.
Bedtime Interruptions
<p>"I turned 29 this year. A few weeks ago, I noticed that getting up in the middle of the night to pee is a nightly occurrence. Since then, I've tried limiting my water consumption 30 minutes before bed, then an hour, now an hour and a half. I STILL get up in the middle of the night to pee no matter what."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcbz1lp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Revolutionary-Dance</a></p>Appendix
<p>"Put my appendix on the left side. Makes me paranoid about ever having an apendicitis and hoping that I have the capacity to tell them it's on the left side and not the right."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcbzqxx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">that-nerd</a><br></p>Literal Mutant
<p>"At 21, I learned I am a literal mutant, but instead of it giving me cool super powers, my body develops tumors."</p><p>"Edit to add: It's an SDHB mutation."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Intrepid_Salamander7/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Intrepid_Salamander7</a><br></p>Rare Disease
<p>"I was just shy of 21 when I discovered I have a disease I shouldn't be able to have. My bone marrow is calcifying and making my spleen and liver a bit too big. It really sucks getting news like that so young. How are you these days?"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gccjw7v?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">junebugcarterlarson</a><br></p>When Legs Fail You
<p>"When I used to do a lot of long distance cycling I would do some leg training in the winter so im ready by spring. Well, one time after doing a workout, I couldn't get up from the toilet. Like my legs just stopped working. It was pretty bad."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcb78rg?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">bguy90</a><br></p>Eye Sight
<p>"A few months before turning 24, woke up blind on one eye. Turns out I have multiple sclerosis"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcb9znl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sjookvest</a></p><p>"Same here, I was about 33. Thought it was because I was outside the day before and it had been super bright outside, but it didn't go away after a day. Optometrist to Ophthalmologist to Hospital ER (because it was a Friday evening and they couldn't rule out something like a brain hemorrhage). Finally got my diagnosis from the ER doc at 3:00a Saturday. He admitted it was the first time he'd done that in the ER before."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcc6bzl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Golfhaus</a><br></p>Uncooperative Joints
<p>"Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. My joints randomly dislocate. Just yesterday, I dislocated my sternum. Yes, that's a thing."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcbiadz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NightsWolf</a><br></p>Having Seizures
<p>"At 25 years old, I had my first ever seizure. It was a 10 minute grand mal seizure, in a restaurant, no less. Almost 14 years later, numerous med combos, dozens of seizures, side effects, and a brain surgery later, no answers. It sucks to know there is no cure, side effects are monstrous, and people don't understand bc you don't 'look sick,' but after they hear the words epilepsy or seizure disorder- let me tell you, you've never seen people run so fast. However, I am currently 23 months seizure free on my current med combo. I have maintained my career successfully over the last 16 years and I am going back for my second masters degree program in January."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcbw6ch?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">observe_owl</a></p>Difficulty Breathing
<p>"Respiratory illness"</p><p>"You don't know what you have until you suddenly can't even breathe."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcbdjm1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NordyNed</a><br></p>No More Favorite Foods
<p>"It developed allergies of outrageously tasty foods after years and years of consuming and enjoying them."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcb73cw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cw2e</a><br></p>Bye, Pizza
<p>"Gluten and dairy for me. I can't eat sh*t but health foods now. Pizza is out of the question now. My favorite food."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jucp18/when_did_your_body_betray_you/gcbjndc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DefensiveDebbie</a><br></p>The human body is a thing of miracle. However, it's also weird.
Bodies can develop all sorts of strange idiosyncrasies and over time, we just accept that that's what our bodies do.
We can't change it even if we wanted to.
Verteb-what?
<p>I have spinal stenosis, basically my vertebra are thickening and pressing against my spinal cord in my upper neck and lower spine.</p><p>It causes numbness in my extremities and I have to do special stretches to help relieve the pressure but man sometimes I'll sit for a little bit too long and it's like my feet don't exist. I'll try to walk but it's like walking on stumps.</p><p>Back to the stretches and within 10 minutes the feeling returns. I use to do 100 mile bicycle rides, now I'm lucky if I can walk three blocks without tripping and falling.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/MadLintElf/" target="_blank">MadLintElf</a></p>Mah Head!
<p>I have Exploding Head Syndrome, which is a lot scarier sounding than it actually is-- a sleep phase disorder. Basically, when I'm falling asleep I occasionally hear random phantom noises that startle me back awake. For me, I most commonly hear someone shouting my name, an unintelligible brief yell, knocking on the door, or the doorbell. I've noticed over the years that it tends to happen mostly when I'm overtired and/or anxious, and I may not have one for months and then have them every other day for a week.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/we-are-the-foxes/" target="_blank">we-are-the-foxes</a></p>The Phantom Pain
<p>I have neurological issues that make me have "phantom" feelings.</p><p>For instance the last two days I've had a burning sensation, like if I'd rested a hot soup bowl on my thigh, but there's nothing there.</p><p>It can feel like little bug bites, scratches or "streaky" burns. It's never severe, mostly just weird to feel a distinct sensation for no reason.</p><p>Sometimes I'll ask a family member to check for marks.</p><p>The other day I pulled up my shirt, turned around and asked my mom if there was anything on my back.</p><p>She was like, "Oh my goodness! <em>There is</em>! Looks like one of the cats got you!"</p><p>And we were both so weirdly delighted I'd actually been mauled. lol</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/AustinTreeLover/" target="_blank">AustinTreeLover</a></p>Step Out, Step Out Of The Sun
<p>I'm white and pale af. Normally avoid sun exposure due to not tolerating heat well and skin cancer running in the family.</p><p>But earlier this summer I spent quite a bit of time in the desert. I got several shades darker, except for a bunch of random spots that are still white.</p><p>They weren't covered and had the same amount of sun exposure as the rest of me, but just no color change at all. Biggest spot is on my bicep but there are random spots everywhere.</p><p>I've always had a streak like that along my hairline (hair also grows in white there too) that my mom said was a birth mark. I'm guessing these "new" spots have always been there too but never apparent because I avoid sun exposure.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/NegotiationGloomy625/" target="_blank">NegotiationGloomy625</a></p>Camel
<p>I don't feel dehydrated even though I am. When I was a kid, I've gone whole days without drinking anything.</p><p>I've just learnt to force myself to drink water every hour. Until I developed this routine, I never understood how my lips were supposed to feel like as they were always dry.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/CheekyBlind/" target="_blank">CheekyBlind</a></p>My Eyes!
<p>I get ocular migraines sometimes. They're not terribly frequent, though maybe once in a while they'll be persistent for a week or so. It's a strange experience. No pain, no headache, but an actual blind spot develops in my vision, that 'appears' sort of like a lightning bolt, it hovers there for about 20-30 minutes then gradually subsides. I'll tend to feel a bit weird for maybe an hour or two afterward but then back to normal.</p><p>They seem to be triggered by a combination of poor sleep, dehydration and (maybe) caffeine + stress. Have had them off-and-on for about 10 years probably. Consulted with a couple doctors about it and they've said it's probably nothing to be too worried about unless it starts happening more frequently/intensely.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/ewreytukikhuyt344/" target="_blank">ewreytukikhuyt344</a></p>Ribs That Shift
<p>I get sharp intense pains on the left bottom side of my ribs randomly. I just suck in air and hope my rib didn't puncture my lung. Sometimes its when I'm working out, but sometimes I'm literally just standing there and whoops popped a lung.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/LesbianMarySue/" target="_blank">LesbianMarySue</a></p>Left Brain Right Brain
<p>I was born with a disorder that makes crossover motion between both sides of my body more challenging. Riding a bike took me a year to master, for context. The hardest thing for me to do autopilot is stairs, though. If I don't think about it, my body automatically goes one at a time with both feet rather than alternating.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Aceofkings9/" target="_blank">Aceofkings9</a></p>Drink Me!
<p>I have Alice In Wonderland syndrome. </p><p>Basically, sometimes my brain makes me think that I'm swelling up, like I'm being inflated like a balloon. And I feel all big - like I'm getting too big for the room. That normally happens when I'm starting to feel sleepy. Occasionally I'll go the opposite way and feel as if I'm being squashed down from above, like a giant hand is pressing me down into the road and everything is towering above me. I can normally 'ground' myself by feeling myself and reassuring my brain that I'm normal sized if it's a 'big balloon' feeling, or by staring up at the sky then slowly adjusting to the horizon for a few moments if it's a 'squashed small' feeling.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Alpaca_Tasty_Picnic/" target="_blank">Alpaca_Tasty_Picnic</a></p>Bacaw!
<p>I get one time hiccups every now and again. Just to make them a bit more noticable they sound like someone stepped on a squeaky toy, or as someone once thought; a ninja bird squawking behind her.</p><p>It's a great ice breaker if nothing else, it's worse when I get regular hiccups and it sounds like a puppy going to town with it's new toy.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/O_dear_what_happened/" target="_blank">O_dear_what_happened</a></p>For most of us, working with the dead isn't something we are going to have a whole lot of opportunity to do. That means most of us won't have a frame of reference for what is normal and what is "weird" when it comes to corpses, caskets, and the industry of death in general.
The Leftovers
<p>Funerals and tombstones are the family business and my dad has lot of stories. One that really stood out was the time they were dropping a vault (cement box they the casket goes inside) into a gravesite before a funeral and noticed what looked like "large pieces of grilled meat" at the bottom of the hole. </p><p>On asking the cemetery directory what was up (the hole is supposed to be empty) , he was told to ignore it. He did not ignore it and instead brought it up with some others, eventually notifying the authorities. Turned out they had a crematorium on site and were only partially burning the bodies as a means of saving money. The leftovers were being dropped in the graves of others being buried. Few people went to jail for that apparently.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjh53zx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">watawasteof20letters</a></p>Romeo, Romeo
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg0NzgyOS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MDcyMDAyMn0.V27SCJcC5S-WN9QRk0CRRcPxwJFeSQUi6eCqKOsvZBM/img.gif?width=980" id="5355a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="94b7728fc5eacf7eb4fff12dc8208262" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="500" data-height="216" />Giphy<p>My roommate worked in a graveyard in high school. Said he saw an old man hunched over in a chair at 6am from across the graveyard. Didn't think anything of it and let the man mourn in peace. Around lunch time he was still sitting there. He went up to him and saw that he was hunched over because he had shot himself from under the chin up. He said his blood was all over the grave of his wife who recently had died. Very sad Romeo and Juliet ending.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjhc0pj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">StrongestSea</a></p>Stone-Hearted
<p>A nearly 50 % calcified heart.</p><p>The man was in his mid 30's and unexpectedly passed. I'm only an assistant, but our chief has been in the field for 34 years and has never seen such an extensive calcification on someone so young, let alone someone that could live long enough for it to get that bad. He honestly had no idea how such a thing could even happen.</p><p>He was more impressed by the patients life span than the actual heart.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjguykj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">ChoroidPlexers</a></p>Never Get Used To It
<p>I'm an EMT and our ambulance station is attached to the county morgue. Sometimes I'll assist the coroner or pathologist. I'll never get used to seeing someone I once saw alive laying in the anatomical position with their guts out. </p><p>Last time it was a girl who added me on Facebook that I was thinking of dating. I wasn't prepared to see her in there like that.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjgtzje?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">gil_beard</a></p>Not A Dignified Way
<p>I worked in a jail and the county morgue was attached to it. I'd sometimes go help them move corpses around. One night we were transferring a body into a hearse to be taken to the funeral home. All of our gurneys are from like the 1950-1960's. They didn't really make them to handle a morbidly obese person back then. The gurney broke and dumped a very, VERY fat corpse on top of the new guy I was trying to show how to do the job. Knocked him over and pinned him underneath, and it took 3 of us to roll the corpse off of him.</p><p>He was in hysterics and quit, and we all got yelled at for it even though it was solely due to the fact that we have outdated and worn out equipment. But yeah, the bodies being brought in are bigger and bigger as years go on, and the equipment for handling corpses usually was only designed for bodies half that size at max. We tried to be as respectful as possible while handling the dead, but there's just not a dignified way to move a 500 pound dead person.</p><p><span></span>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjhh7l6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Vict0r117</a></p>A Thorough Checking
<p>My sister works for the county coroner. They sent off the body of a middle aged father who seemed to have passed away from a heart attack. She received a call asking if all of the man's orifices were thoroughly checked. Evidently he had a large sex toy in his colon.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjgw8au?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Colejriley</a></p>One Way Trip
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg0Nzc4NS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjI3OTExMX0.Davaw_HZqMZVtPTiHNSti0E3F77UickoRvRCGqEmjkA/img.gif?width=980" id="50230" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8a9c014f7587ce533ed0258eef86cc22" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="270" />Giphy<p>Not a worker, but I have severe epilepsy. I had a massive seizure while visiting my family's plot once and hit my head hard. My mom had to call an ambulance. At first, they didn't believe her when she gave the address, but finally one was sent. When it rolled it, the caretaker came out and hovered around while I was stabilized and loaded, then driven away. </p><p>Afterwards, while my mom was getting ready to follow it to the hospital, he said "Well, that's the first time they've ever taken any bodies OUT of here. It's normally a one way trip." Then he offered my mom a free plot and burial service if I didn't make it.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjhhy11?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">fightwithgrace</a></p>The Totaled Van
<p>I worked as a gravedigger for a family owned Cemetery/Mortuary for a few years...20 years ago. Craziest thing that ever happened... I got a call from my boss at 11 pm one night. No alarms yet, we were on call on the weekends, so a late night call from the boss wasn't that weird. This is where normal ended. He asked me to come down to the cemetery, ASAP and open a grave that we scheduled to be opened first thing the next morning, but he needed it ...at midnight!?!?</p><p>He then tells me what's been happening. Apparently we dis-interred 2 caskets from a cemetery in the Los Angeles area. This was in the early 2000's and the bodies were originally buried 1979. I don't care what anyone says, stainless steel, waterproof caskets are a bad idea. The caskets were intact enough to be removed but when they were being put into the transportation van... they bumped together, and the corners of the caskets broke... releasing the contents. The fluid contents. All over the inside of the van. The driver was not happy. But, got on I-5 to Sacramento anyway for the 6 hour drive. The driver said he gagged the entire trip. He said the smell was so bad he drove with his head out the window to avoid the smell. He called the boss and told the boss that the graves need to be open and ready the second he arrived so that we could get these caskets in the ground and covered as soon as possible. Which we did.</p>Ascaris
<p>A guy with an ascaris infestation (intestinal worms). As the body cools down they start exiting through the nose, mouth and all the orifices, which makes for a really gross spectacle. I had to finish pulling them out (they are long, wriggly and disgusting, and wouldn't stop coming) so I could commence my autopsy. I found more inside, too. Blegh.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjhfbrz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Dr-Sateen</a></p>Are You Real?
<p>My neighbor has a funny story. She was visiting the hospital and got in the elevator. Now this hospital isn't built entirely on the same elevation. The main entrance is on top of a hill. This means that to get to the main floor, you have to press the 1st floor button. Underneath that button is another floor labeled M. She thought it was labeled M, for main floor. It was actually labeled M, because that floor was the morgue. So she gets off at the morgue level to try and figure out where she is. The mortician comes around the corner and nearly has a heart attack when he sees her. After asking her if she's real, he shows her that the first floor is the main floor and helps her get to the main entrance.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fkehvnk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">trainmobile</a></p>Worth It
<p>My father worked cleaning a hospital morgue for a while. His co-worker was supposed to transport an amputated limb from the morgue to the furnace out back, which was at the top of a steep hill that had been covered with snow and a thick layer of ice from freezing rain and sleet the day before. </p><p>Dad was at the bottom of the hill and, thinking it would be funny, the dude waved the amputated leg at my dad. Then he dropped it, watching in horror as it skidded all the way down the icy hill into a small crowd of visitors-- which included some of the hospital's investors-- who screamed bloody murder and took off in random directions. He was fired, but later considered the story in itself to be worth losing his job.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fkbls3x?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Clockworkmechanist</a></p>Melted
<p>My uncle used to be an EMT in a really small town in PA, so they pretty much deal the with everything. Neighbors hadn't seen this old lady in quite some time so called 911 and my uncle and his crew went to see what was up. Lady had died doing something to the furnace (old school in your living room type one) and when she died she landed on it and pretty much "melted" onto it. They had to scrape her off. I can only imagine what seeing that does to people...</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjk1k6n?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">letsgetpunk</a></p>A String
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg3OTk4Mi9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MjgyMTE5OX0.8O1DRbOO1pDeoS1purdvYJvQvZot95rWgEmSc4xWhcM/img.gif?width=980" id="ca4db" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f0fc95fc851fab810b51aadb43582ac9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="266" />Giphy<p>We were prepping the body and removed the sheet to find a cotton string tied around his penis. Another funeral home had embalmed him so I can only assume they put it there. But why?</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjjpo11?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">exsxfxy</a></p>"Dancing" On His Grave
<p>Worked in cemetery as a teen in the mid 60's. The old widow probably in her late 50s would bring her new boyfriend and have sex on her deceased husbands grave stone. We had to chase them off several times.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjjhir1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Simpdogg</a></p>Partials
<p>A friend of mine is in the business that his family has owned for a while.</p><p>A guy called asking a LOT of technical questions about the crematorium. How hot does it get, how long do you do it etc.</p><p>After answering questions he asks what is going on.</p><p>The callers dad was in his late 80s and had a terminal illness. They want to do a home cremation.</p><p>They explain that you can't really do that that there are laws and procedures with the police and hospital etc. The caller dismissed all of that legal mumbo jumbo and thanked him for the info.</p><p>A couple of months go by and the guy calls back.</p><p>How much do you charge for a "partial" cremation? A partial? What is going on there.</p><p>I guess the dad died and they got a bunch of railroad ties and tried to burn the dad up in the backyard. The partial was the leftovers from the fire.</p><p>For those that don't know you have to have temperatures way higher than you ever could reproduce in your backyard to completely burn up a body</p><p>After they said they didn't do partials the guy hung up.</p><p><span></span>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjismvt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Chum731</a></p>The Whistleblower
<p>I used to process bodies that were donated to science. This company would offer a free cremation for people if they could take parts they could use. They promised a minimum percentage of ashes returned (I think 40%) thru would take a lot of knees, shoulders, elbows and doctors could practice using Magellan surgeries. Had one woman come in. She weighed 65 lbs. And I had no problem lifting her myself. </p><p>Cancer ate her up. These people were mostly poor people that had been stuck on some institution. Her hip had dislocated and refused to her pelvis. She had horrible rotting bed sores. I had just started the job and was about four weeks into training. I was worried the job would be too much and this woman was what I was afraid for. It took me back so much that I asked my boss if this was something we should report to authorities. A week later they tell me they don't think I'm suited for this line of work and show me the door.</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjinqc2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">fujiesque</a></p>Human Soup
<p>My father in law served in the RAF in Germany in the early 80s. He was a driver but was somehow given the job of body Collector for the local morgue along with a few others.</p><p>He's told us loads of stories, but one that sticks out the most was when they were called to a railway line.</p><p>They were told to bring shovels. That's when they knew it was bad. He said all they could do was shovel as much as what was left of the man, onto a gurney.</p><p>He then told us how he'll never forget the sound of the remains sliding off the gurney into the body bag.</p><p>"It was basically human soup"</p><p>- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/fdc5jh/people_who_work_in_graveyardsmorguesembalming/fjidafi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">BenjiLovesIt</a></p>The human body is a fascinatingly complex machine. Blood flows through our veins carrying oxygen and nutrients, our liver and kidneys remove waste from that blood, and electrical signals travel through our nervous system to make it all happen.
Some things about our bodies are a little less fascinating and a little more disturbing, though.