Saw my father in law in his coffin yesterday 2 hours before burial, he died from aspiration of blood and stomach contents. I was shocked to see his eyes not closed completely and most shockingly his mouth wide open and his legs under the shroud seemed NOT to be there almost as if had been amputated he appeared to have shrunk to about 3/4's of his size. He died in hospital exactly a week before we had to wait 4 days to obtain death certificate because doctors had not signed the paperwork necessary for us to obtain green form for undertaker to collect his body. Could you answer these questions for us please. Bebe Roberts email EMAIL REMOVED FOR PRIVACY

Your description seems to fit an arriving body not one ready for burial. I suggest you contact the hospital where he died, they are the agency that would have performed the autopsy and will have photos that were taken during same. Relatives have the right to view these results.

Yes to DrBill... was your description of the body right before burial? If so... not only was the body not ready for burial... not ready for viewing. Sounds as if this was rigor mortis then he may have passed away from aspiration like you stated because he seemed to have died in kussmauls respirations (agonal), I've seen this way too many times having worked in numerous ICU's.