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This was taken from a Novus Ordo article , but the Latin is obviously traditional. Will try and google translate




Back in the day before many medical developments, moral theologians in their manuals wrote that in the case of apparent death, anointing could be administered conditionally. The form for the anointing is changed slightly to introduce the condition of life, that is, by adding the words, “Si vivis… if you are now living (then…)”. In this way, the integrity of the sacrament is preserved and, if it is possible that the person is alive, then hopefully she receives the effects.
Also, in the old manuals of theology, there was discussion of the point made before, about the way the soul separates from the body.
In Sabetti-Barrett I found:Google translation:


Now, according to the opinion of many most learned physicians, it is probable that in almost all cases men after an instant of death, as is commonly said, live within some time after the last respiration, shorter or longer, according to the nature of the cause which caused death. In cases of death from slow development of diseases, it is likely that internal life lasts for several periods, about six, or, according to some experts, one-half hour; but in cases of sudden death, the internal life lasts long, perhaps not improbably, until putrefaction. Therefore, if a priest arrives morally at the same time as death, whether from an ordinary illness or from some sudden accident, is considered to have entered the community, he can and, as it seems to us, ought to confer the above two sacraments conditionally. And we think the same must be held if in cases of illness before half an hour, and in cases of a sudden accident before the hour of apparent death, a priest arrives. But if, however, he comes to respiration but before corruption, he can administer the sacraments;

What is meant here by "periods" (momenta)?  Minutes? 

I read somewhere recently that the brain remains alive for about seven minutes, after which time the brain cells start losing the water that is in them, as well as oxygen deprivation.

One could have pious hope that the recently departed, if he were up to this point estranged from Almighty God, might experience some kind of internal illumination, "this is it, last call, it's just about over, do you repent of your sins, or are you determined to remain in them?".

I've heard the distinction between lingering before death, and sudden death, and how the soul might remain longer in the body of one who has died suddenly.

I’ve been debating on whether or not to post & finally decided to take a stab at it... please forgive me for not be as articulate as I would like. 

I am the widow of Joe Wilson. There is a lot I could say but I’ll try to keep it brief. Firstly, thank you to everyone who has been praying, sacrificing or contributing support of any kind. May God reward your generosity. Secondly, I must confess I was a little bothered by the lack of sensitivity (& perhaps charity) in some of the posts. I would say that “this guy”, my dead husband, did the best he could with what he had. I ask that everyone take a moment to look deep within themselves & be careful not to judge others from afar. It is so easy to speak about the lives of others without giving any significant thought to what lesson God may be trying to teach each of us. I’ll leave it at that...

Again, many thanks for all the prayers. God’s Grace is what will carry my family through this “tragedy”. If you knew what I knew, you would celebrate with me the goodness & mercy of God!

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”