Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the reprogramming of cells, tissues, and organs within postmortem metazoan animals. The methods include the use of vectors expressing factors capable of reversing the developmental aging of cells in a postmortem metazoan back to an embryonic regenerative state and the subsequent transplantation of cells, tissues, and organs from said postmortem animal into an allogeneic animal for therapeutic purposes or the subsequent resuscitation of said postmortem animal.