So far, I have explained five major areas under contemplation of body. i.e. in and out breathing, the four great elements, postures of the body, physical actions and the impurities of body. There is one more. That is to contemplate on the various stages of dissolution of a dead body.

I am of the nature to die; Death is not beyond me!
Primarily, this is a contemplation on death. Being mindful of death. This is one of the most valuable and fruitful meditations that one can practice. It will lead one to the highest knowledge and fruit. In fact, Buddha advises everyone to frequently contemplate on this i.e. "I am of the nature to die. Death is inevitable". The Buddha advises one to do so, because beings are intoxicated by life and consequently they indulge in wrong acts by body, speech and mind. When one contemplates on death, this intoxication goes down and wrong actions too are set aside and then the path dawns. Death is the one and only certainty in life. Everything else is uncertain. The wise one would therefore pay attention to the certainty. Be fully prepared for that certain event. If one is not prepared for this certain event, then one has wasted one’s life. If one is not prepared for it, when the moment of death approaches, one will be perturbed, go into fear, doubt, restlessness, anxiety and worry, sorrow and lamentation. One big mass of dukkha. On the other hand, the one who is fully prepared for it, will accept the situation mindfully, calmly and equanimously. Will not be perturbed by the event.

So one of the most important things in life is to be ready for death. In fact the one who is ready for it, is ready for any event in this life, good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant. Living with the knowledge that one is ready for death, is a great relief and strength. A setting aside of a huge burden.

Method of Practice
The method of practice is quite straight-forward. It needs no formal posture. Any one of the four postures are suitable. First develop thoughts of death, and bring it to the present. Think thus: I may die now. I may die before I have my next meal, I may die before I go to sleep. When you go to sleep, think that I may die before I wake up. Now you can bring this perception to the very present. When you breathe in, think I may die before I breath out. When you breathe out think that "I may die before I breath in". In this manner, keep on developing the contemplation, at any time, as often as you can. In a more formal way, focus your mind to your dead body and be mindful and aware of the dead body. Be aware of yourself as being dead and contemplate on the various stages of the dissolution of your dead body. By its frequent practice, the perception of death will arise and grow