Decay is part of the natural cycle for plants, animals, and people. Anything that lives has to die eventually. Once the organism dies, it starts to break down, or decay. Soon the original shape changes. It no longer looks the way it did when it was alive.
Bacteria grow best in a moist environment.
Since the human body is between 60 and 75 percent water, it is a great place for bacteria to grow. This made it hard for the ancient Egyptians to keep bodies looking like people. The process they developed to make it easier is called mummification . The main idea in mummification is getting all of the water out of the body. As soon as someone who could afford mummification died, the body was given to the priests and embalmers.