Death

"Die" redirects here. For the game-playing objects, see Dice. For death metal band, see Death (band).

Death and his flowers, in Kuoleman puutarha, Hugo Simberg (1906)

The human skull is often used as a symbol for death

Death refers to the end of life in an organism. It is the point at which all biological and living activity in a living thing ceases, including the mind and senses. The usual signal for death in humans and many other animals is that the heart stops beating and cannot be restarted. This can be caused by many things, and all living things have a limited lifespan, eventually dying.

When people talk about things or events that lead to the death of a plant or animal, those things or events are usually described as being deadly or fatal. In the case of diseases, they are described as 'terminal'. Finding the cause of death is a medical specialty called pathology. In medicine, death is defined as when the heart stops beating for more than several minutes. If machines are used to help the heart and lungs work, then the moment of death is more difficult to determine.

Society and Culture

Death is commonly a sad or unpleasant thing to people and can make people think about their own death. People might miss or be sad for the person who has died. They might also be sad for the family and friends of the person who has died. In any society, human death is surrounded by ritual - a wake or funeral is normal. In some places, it was common to 'eat' the dead in a form of ritual cannibalism. But this is no longer common, in part because diseases like kuru can be passed this way. Human dead bodies are taboo in most societies and must be handled in special ways - for a combination of religious and hygiene reasons. A human dead body must always be reported in law, to be sure it is disposed of properly.

Dealing with dead bodies and their property

Finding the cause of any human death and stopping a similar death from happening to someone else are the main reasons people look into human morbidity or let dead bodies be cut open and looked at in an autopsy. Some religions do not allow autopsies because they feel the body is holy. Autopsies are usually required by the state if someone dies, and people do not know why. The autopsy helps find out if someone killed the person on purpose, tried to hurt them, or if they died from a sickness.

To prepare for their own death, humans can write a last will and testament to be clear about who gets their property and possessions. A person will sometimes also volunteer to be an organ donor. This might mean giving the whole body to medical research. It can also save the lives of others by making organ transplants possible.

Religious views of death

For a long time, many people have been afraid of death, and a lot of people have wondered about what may happen to people after they die. This is one of the largest questions of philosophy and religion. Many people believe there is some form of afterlife.

Rituals surrounding death

Every ethical tradition including the medical view of the body has some ritual surrounding death. For instance, one may say that organ transplant is like cannibalism.

For instance, one may say that organ transplant is like cannibalism. Saying goodbye is important. Most of the stress of death seems to come for loved ones who "did not have a chance to say goodbye". Maybe it is to relieve this stress that rituals are created, and to bring together those that knew someone so that the personal experience a person can no longer communicate for themselves can be exchanged by others.

Preparing for death

Aside from wills, goodbyes, organ donations, and funerals, there is important personal experience to decide to pass on, or not, when someone knows they may soon die. Palliative care focuses on basic decisions people make when they are very close to the end of their lives, and it ensures someone is always available to talk to them.

Causes of death

There are many different causes of death, some of which are natural and some of which are due to external factors. Here are some common causes of death:

• Old age (natural causes)
• Severe haemorrhage
• Cancer
• Trauma
• Starvation or dehydration
• Disease

1. Old age is the most common cause of death. As people get older, their bodies begin to deteriorate and become less able to repair themselves. Eventually, the body's systems begin to fail, leading to death.
2. Severe haemorrhage, or bleeding, can be caused by a number of things, including injuries, medical procedures, or diseases such as hemophilia.
3. Cancer is a disease that causes abnormal cell growth in the body. If left untreated, cancer can spread to other parts of the body and eventually lead to death.
4. Trauma refers to injuries caused by accidents, falls, or other physical harm. Depending on the severity of the trauma, it can be fatal.
5. Starvation or dehydration can occur when the body is not receiving enough nutrients or fluids to function properly. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including poverty, medical conditions, or being stranded in a remote location.
6. Disease can refer to a wide range of illnesses, from infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Coping with Death

Dealing with the death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences a person can face. Everyone copes with death differently, but there are some common strategies that can help:

• Seek support from friends and family.
• Consider talking to a mental health professional.
• Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions.
• Take care of yourself physically by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
• Participate in rituals or ceremonies that honor the memory of your loved one.
• It's important to remember that grief is a natural process and there is no "right" way to experience it. Give yourself time and be patient with yourself as you navigate this difficult time.

Also see

• Death sentence

References

Death Resources
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