Question

Why does a dead person's weight appear heavier than when they were alive?

Answer 1

Yes Rigor Mortis does set in, but this is temporary. I think the reason he appears heavier is that when you lift a concious person he keeps his body still and centres his mass somewhere close to yours; this makes it easier to lift. A dead or unconcious person does not do this and is much more awkward to lift so appears heavier.. This is the origin og the phrase "a dead weight"

Answer 2

i think, be it dead or alive, its the same weight. you can't bend dead people that's why your getting a hard time carrying him/her up...

Answer 3

"Your muscle fibers are like mouse traps-- they go off by themselves, but need energy to be reset to contract again. A dead body is out of ATP, the energy compound that relaxes the muscles.". . Thus, the body gets harder not heavier. It just feels heavier cause the whole body is hard as ever, just like after the biggest workout in your entire life.