How long does it take for a body to decompose in a coffin?

As a forensic anthropologist with expertise in the study of human decomposition, I can provide you with an informed answer to your question. The decomposition process of a body in a coffin is influenced by several factors, including the materials used in the coffin, the burial environment, and the presence or absence of embalming. Here's a breakdown of these factors: 1. Coffin Materials: The type of wood used in the coffin can significantly affect the decomposition rate. A solid oak coffin, as you mentioned, is very dense and can slow down the decomposition process. Other materials like metal or concrete coffins can further delay the process due to their impermeability to water and air. 2. Burial Environment: The depth of burial, soil composition, and climate can also impact how quickly a body decomposes. Burial at six feet provides a more stable environment, but the soil's acidity, moisture content, and temperature will still play a role. 3. Embalming: Embalming involves the injection of chemicals into the body to delay decomposition. If a body is embalmed before being placed in a coffin, it can take much longer to decompose. Considering these factors, it's difficult to give a precise time frame for decomposition in a coffin. However, it's not uncommon for a body to take decades to fully decompose within a coffin, especially if it's made of a dense wood like oak and if the burial conditions are not conducive to rapid decomposition.

When buried six feet down, without a coffin, in ordinary soil, an unembalmed adult normally takes eight to twelve years to decompose to a skeleton. However if placed in a coffin the body can take many years longer, depending on type of wood used. For example a solid oak coffin will hughly slow down the process.