Scientists think they have discovered a "third state" of existence between life and death.
The experts say that the third state is where the cells of a deceased organism continue to function after death – gaining new capabilities that they did not possess in life.
If further experimentation on the cells of dead animals and humans shows they can enter the third state, it could redefine legal death.
Study leaders Professor Peter Noble and Alex Pozhitkov, of the University of Washington in Seattle and City of Hope National Medical Centre respectively, said: "Life and death are traditionally viewed as opposites but the emergence of new multicellular life-forms from the cells of a dead organism introduces a 'third state' that lies beyond the traditional boundaries of life and death.
"Certain cells – when provided with nutrients, oxygen, bioelectricity or biochemical cues – have the capacity to transform into multicellular organisms with new functions after death."