A mortician has sounded the alarm on the most and least common causes of death he comes across during autopsies.
Gerald, who goes by @big_led73 on TikTok and boasts 2.3 million followers, often answers queries about post-mortem human bodies and the autopsy process.
He aims to demystify death through open conversation. In a recent video, Gerald highlighted the “most common and least common” causes of death he sees in his line of work, urging viewers to take better care of their health.
Gerald said in the clip: “The most common cause of death is heart disease. So, I’m going to need you all to quit smoking, eat a better diet, and exercise three times a week – let’s get that heart in shape.
“The least common cause of death is cirrhosis of the liver. If you’re drinking, just drink a little, don’t drink a lot because eventually you’re going to get a fatty liver and you’ll die of cirrhosis of the liver. It’s a small chance but it could happen.”
Followers responded to his advice with personal stories. One commented: “I work on a liver floor. The amount of patients that I have that are in their 30s is unbelievable. and a lot of them don’t qualify for a new liver.”
Another shared: “Both my mum and uncle died from cirrhosis. My mum was 31 and uncle was 41.” A third remarked: “Cirrhosis can be nonalcoholic too. My grandmother died of that type.” While another said: “I quit smoking in February and I’m never going back.”
In another of his videos, Gerald answered the curious question: “If a female has breast implants, are they removed or will the body decompose, becoming a skeleton with fake boobs?” He clarified that if “they’re yours” then “you’re taking them to the grave” – meaning your body will decompose around them.
Gerald explained: “They’re not removed. If you’re embalmed, the embalming fluid will preserve the tissue and slow down the decomposing process. Or if you’re not embalmed, you’re going to decompose super fast. The boobs will still be there. They’re not going to decompose.”
He also debunked a common myth, saying: “They say your hair and nails keep growing after you die which is not true, they don’t. Your skin shrinks – the embalming fluid dehydrates you and your skin shrinks, so it looks like your hair and nails grow. But your boobs are gonna stay the same and the skin will shrink around them and eventually decompose.”