When a person dies, their body undergoes a series of physiological changes, including muscle relaxation. This process affects the muscles that control the eyelids, potentially causing the eyes to remain open. Several factors contribute to why this happens:

1. Muscle Relaxation

Upon death, the muscles in the body, including those controlling the eyelids, relax. If the muscles were not in a state of tension at the moment of death, the eyelids might stay open. This relaxation can happen quickly and often depends on the circumstances surrounding the death.

2. Sudden Death

In cases of sudden death, such as from a heart attack or stroke, the body doesn't have time to go through the gradual process of muscle relaxation that might occur in a slower dying process. As a result, the eyes might remain open.

3. Unconsciousness

If a person is unconscious at the time of death, they lose voluntary control over their muscles, including those that keep the eyes closed. This is why people who die while unconscious or in a coma often have their eyes open.

4. Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can influence whether the eyes remain open after death. For example, conditions like exophthalmos (bulging eyes), commonly seen in Graves' disease, can prevent the eyelids from closing completely.

5. Physiological Factors

After death, the body's blood pressure drops, and this can lead to changes in appearance, including the opening of the eyes. The cessation of nervous system function means no further signals are sent to keep the eyes closed.

Misconceptions and Cultural Views

There are no religious or spiritual implications tied to whether someone dies with their eyes open or closed. This phenomenon is purely physiological. However, cultural beliefs and superstitions might interpret open eyes at death as a negative sign, though this has no basis in medical science.

In summary, dying with eyes open is a natural outcome of the body's physiological changes after death, influenced by factors such as muscle relaxation, suddenness of death, unconsciousness, and certain medical conditions.