Antemortem changes include physiological changes that occur primarily:

Antemortem changes refer to physiological alterations that occur in the body before death. These changes can happen during the dying process as the body begins to shut down. Understanding when these changes take place is essential in the field of mortuary science because they can profoundly affect how a body is treated and prepared for burial or cremation.

Choosing "just before death" accurately describes the timing of antemortem changes. During this period, various systems in the body may start to fail, leading to observable signs like changes in skin color, temperature, and muscle tone. Recognizing these signs is important for morticians and healthcare professionals as they indicate the transition from life to death.

In contrast, physiological changes that occur after death would not be classified as antemortem. Similarly, changes that occur long before death would not fit into the definition of antemortem because they would not necessarily correlate with the immediate physiological state leading up to death. Finally, while injuries can precipitate death, the immediate physiological changes that happen after an injury would typically be considered part of the dying process rather than strictly antemortem changes. Therefore, the emphasis on changes that occur just before death is what makes this choice the most accurate.