The human fear of corpses is a type of fear related to death known as necrophobia.
The subjects of this fear, whether it be the fear of human corpses or animal remains, primarily depend on the “education” and cultural context one receives.
Due to different living environments and geographical locations, humanity is divided into various ethnic groups with distinct cultures. However, in general, people feel disgusted, uncomfortable, and fearful when confronted with human remains or remnants of spirits and similar entities.
So why do animals not fear the corpses of their kind, while humans do? In reality, humans fear the corpses of their species as an evolutionary choice and a consequence of human culture. Throughout the long history of humanity, the fear of corpses has also served as a protective response for humans.
Human fear of corpses is an evolutionary choice. (Illustration).
First, in primitive societies, humans lived like wild animals, and cannibalism was common. However, gradually humans began to realize the disadvantages of such actions, as they were more likely to contract diseases compared to consuming other species. After experiencing this, humanity developed a fear of their own kind, believing that these corpses could bring harm. This fear was passed down from generation to generation.
Second, corpses that are exposed to the air for long periods decompose and generate bacteria. An excessive number of corpses can lead to infectious diseases, commonly referred to as plagues. As a result, humans gradually learned to bury the dead, leading to the emergence of funeral rites. Since human remains pose a death threat to the living, especially during large-scale plagues or wars, thoughts of death arise, and the fear of corpses becomes an instinctive protective response.
Third, with the gradual advancement of human civilization, the handling of corpses is no longer as simple as burial. Instead, burial has become a ritual, a blessing for the deceased, and a form of release for the living. The beliefs and customs surrounding death are ingrained in us from childhood, leading us to perceive death as a very sorrowful event. Consequently, the word “corpse” becomes taboo. Additionally, horror movies may lead us to believe in a world filled with ghosts, causing fear; however, those who work in funeral homes do not fear the dead because they are in constant contact with corpses year-round. If one has been exposed to corpses from a young age, they will naturally not fear human remains.
