Final answer:
An unembalmed body kept in refrigeration will likely show accelerated decomposition if displayed in a warm, humid environment, unlike the preservation seen in a dry environment. Historical practices, such as storing bodies in cisterns, aimed to maintain the body's condition before burial.
Step-by-step explanation:
A body that is unembalmed for visitation but was kept in refrigeration will likely appear in a state of accelerated decomposition if the environment is warm and humid during an open casket visitation. Warmth and humidity accelerate the breakdown of tissues and the proliferation of bacteria, which would normally be slowed in cooler, dryer conditions. In contrast, a dry environment can preserve a body's internal organs and individual hairs, keeping the body's appearance more closely aligned with how the person looked at the time of death. However, in a warm and humid setting without embalming, the body might exhibit signs of decomposition such as discoloration, swelling, or odor that would not be present in a refrigerated and embalmed state.
Historical practices of body preservation, as detailed in various texts, show a concern for the condition of the body between death and burial. For instance, Galipapa's testimony regarding the storage of bodies in a cistern suggests strategies used to preserve bodies temporarily. The level of preservation would have an influence on the appearance and integrity of the body at the time of burial.