Death might be an uncomfortable topic, but let’s be honest — most of us are at least a little curious about what happens to our bodies after we pass. From burial traditions to organ donation, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes. And if you’ve ever wondered about your piercings… you’re not alone.
It’s best not to spend too much time dwelling on demise. Credit: DarrenMower/Getty
Gerald Ledford, an autopsy technician with over 2.3 million followers on TikTok (see his TikTok profile here), has been answering people’s most unusual and morbidly fascinating questions about death. One follower asked a surprisingly common question: Do piercings stay in during an autopsy?
The One Piercing That Won’t Make It Through
Ledford cleared up the mystery: almost all piercings stay in place — except for one.
“The only one I take out is your tongue ring,” he explained. “I remove your tongue during an autopsy.”
Yes, you read that right — the tongue is removed in every autopsy. This isn’t for shock value; it’s a necessary step in forensic work. Ledford says it’s done to check whether the deceased bit their tongue during death, to inspect the airway, and to look for drugs or other evidence in the throat.
So, while your earrings, nose ring, nipple piercings, eyebrow bars, and other body jewelry will typically remain untouched, your tongue jewelry won’t be staying put.
Viewers React with Shock (and Humor)
This revelation sent TikTok into a mix of disbelief and amusement. Some joked about wanting their tongue ring reinserted after death, while others shared personal stories — like one user whose late husband’s piercings had to be removed before cremation (which is standard procedure in many cases).
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One commenter even asked: “Do we cut all tongues? Where do they go? Is there a tongue pile somewhere?” (For the record — no, there’s no pile.)
A Glimpse into the Life of an Autopsy Technician
In another video, Ledford talked about the unpredictability of his job. Some days, there might be no autopsies at all; on his busiest day, he handled eight in a single afternoon.
All piercings besides the tongue are left in! Credit: Zave Smith/Getty
His TikTok videos (watch more here) have turned a usually taboo subject into something educational, accessible, and — strangely enough — entertaining.
Final Thoughts
So if you’re worried about your piercings after death, rest easy — they’re likely to stay right where they are… unless, of course, you have a tongue ring. Then it’s one final goodbye.
For more fascinating insights into forensic science, you can also check out resources from the National Library of Medicine or the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.
