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DeathDeath is an irreversible end of life marked by a cessation of brain function or circulatory or respiratory functions. It's a crucial medical and legal determination in the healthcare system, and roughly 68 million people die worldwide annually. Throughout history, human death has been seen as a central life phase event. Communities have formed distinct rituals, mourning practices, and religious beliefs about the human experience tied to this milestone. Approximately 3.1 million Americans die annually, with about 98% declared dead based on cardiopulmonary criteria—meaning they're not breathing and have no heartbeat. The other 2% are declared brain-dead, a medical diagnosis based on an extensive series of neurological tests. Death triggers a series of events in the body that ultimately lead to decomposition. Muscles relax, including the bladder and bowels, so feces and urine are typically expelled soon after death. Within hours, as the body stops producing adenosine triphosphate—a molecule needed to relax muscles—a rigid state called rigor mortis takes hold. This temporary condition fades within about 24 hours. Next, within 24 to 48 hours, the body begins to consume its own tissues through autolysis and produces discoloration, gas, and unpleasant odors.Explore Death
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After the death of jazz legend Charlie Parker, Beat Generation poet and artist Ted Joans adorned New York's walls with some of its earliest graffiti that read 'Bird lives!' A ModernistAfter his death in 2012, NASA paid tribute to Ray Bradbury by naming a rover landing site on Mars after him. The GuardianHeat-related deaths may have climbed by more than 50% over 20 yearsBetween 2000 and 2009 one study suggests annual heat deaths averaged around 2,670, but between 2010 and 2020 that figure was likely more than 4,000. Researchers studied 54 million death records from the contiguous US and created mathematical models to arrive at these figures, noting that a combination of aging populations and climate change drove that increase. Yale School of Public HealthHeatstroke deaths may be massively undercounted—perhaps by a factor of 10One often-cited average estimate of annual American heat deaths—roughly 1,200 per year—is based on death certificate data, but it may be a significant undercount because heat kills through cardiovascular, kidney, and respiratory causes that are more likely to be cited on those documents. (Separate analysis that looked at data from 1999 to 2023 found that the highest number, in 2023, was 2325.) Yale e360Cholera was called the 'Blue Death'In the mid-1800s—when John Snow identified cholera in London—the disease was known simply as the "Blue Death." That's because blood would thicken in patients' veins when they were struggling with extreme dehydration. As a result, their skin would turn a blueish hue as their blood was starved of oxygen. Science History InstituteAfter her death, Emily Dickinson's editors marketed her as a children's poet, believing it would be the best way to have her work published. JSTORWhy death is caused by a dearth of ATPThough people die from many causes, this video makes the case that a lack of adenosine triphosphate production in the body is what kills almost all of us. Without ATP, physiological processes grind to a halt, and organs stop functioning. MinuteEarthNecrosis is the unplanned death of cells and the tissue they compriseIf cells die prematurely due to a lack of blood flow, injury, or disease, they and their organelles can swell, leading to rupture of the surrounding cell membrane. This releases the cell's contents into the surrounding tissue, causing inflammation and damage to neighboring cells. Cleveland ClinicTwo-thirds of soldier deaths during the war were due to diseaseRoughly two-thirds of all Civil War deaths resulted from disease rather than battle. Poor sanitation, contaminated water, and limited medical knowledge made camps breeding grounds for dysentery, typhoid, and other deadly infections. Emerging Civil WarBrain death is a top source of organ donationBrain death is a significant source of organ donations because patients declared brain dead and hooked up to intensive care unit machines will still have oxygen flowing to organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys—preserving those organs. Donate Life CaliforniaBrain death is a uniquely modern problem stemming from modern ventilators. American Medical Association Journal of of EthicsBrain death is very rare—only 2% of hospital patients have brain death in the USA peer-reviewed analysis examining US hospital billing code data from 2012 to 2016 concluded that the incidence of brain death is about 2% in the country. There was no available information indicating what proportion of those patients underwent organ donation. ScienceDirectBrain death is a medical diagnosis without any wiggle roomSeeking to resolve long-standing variations between hospitals and state procedures, in 2023 several expert groups published comprehensive step-by-step guidance for clinicians to follow when determining brain death in kids and adults. Among other guidelines, it stated that doctors don't need to get family consent to do the tests needed to make this determination. USA TODAYResearch advances suggest death takes much longer than we realizedRecent research indicates that organs, including the brain, are better at handling a lack of oxygen after the heart stops beating than previously known. Such findings may open up possibilities that include someday reversing certain death processes and expanding the availability of organs available for organ donations. (Some users may experience a paywall.) MIT Technology ReviewAmerica's top causes of death are heart disease, cancer, accidents, and strokeHeart disease killed more than 680,000 people in 2023 and cancer killed around 613,000 people that year. Both causes of death are far above the next leading cause of death—accidents, which numbered around 223,000. Provisional data for 2024 indicates the leading causes of death remained the same. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention'Donation after circulatory death' is on the riseThis occurs when a patient in a coma is on life support and family members agree to donate the organs. Watch this video about a 2025 New York Times investigation that identified 12 instances across nine states of bungled or premature attempts to retrieve organs from people whose families had authorized withdrawal of life support. The New York TimesBrain death is a top source of organ donationBrain death is a significant source of organ donations—approximately 40% of organs in the US and the UK are recovered from people who experience brain death. Patients declared brain dead and hooked up to intensive care unit machines will still have oxygen flowing to organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys—preserving those organs. National Library of MedicineLong after his death, Washington was made the highest-ranking military figure in US historyOnly three Americans have held the rank of General of the Armies: John J. Pershing, Ulysses S. Grant, and Washington. However, Washington still outranks the others because Congress passed a 1976 law stating that he outranks all officers "past or present." Mental FlossThe heat death of the universe will mark the perceptive end of timeUnder this scenario, all matter and energy will be scattered as far out as possible, with no stars left to produce measurable light between objects. With no way of observing changes or increasing the disorder of the universe further, events could not be distinguished from one another, and time would lose meaning. BBCDeath, early innovators of punk, were unknown for decadesThe band of three brothers from Detroit recorded a 1974 demo that predicted the punk explosion that would arrive just a few years later with the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. But the band, Death, were complete unknowns until collectors rediscovered their music in the 2000s. Now Dig ThisA Death Valley shrub optimizes its cells' organelles to photosynthesize in extreme heatExamining the cellular structure of the plant under heat, scientists observed the formation of novel, cup-shaped chloroplasts and mitochondrial relocation, which shifted the plant's optimal photosynthesis temperature to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) as it tripled in mass over 10 days. Engineering these mechanisms in crops may help optimize them for hotter environments. Yale E360After Flannery O'Connor's death, the writer's mother insisted her daughter be buried with a smile on her face. The Georgia ReviewPenicillin slashed battlefield pneumonia deaths during World War IIBefore antibiotics, bacterial pneumonia killed about 18% of infected soldiers in World War I. By World War II, penicillin cut that death rate to less than 1%.
PBS NewsLearn more about Niagara’s death-defying daredevilsThis podcast from the Niagara Falls Daredevil Museum explores 19th‑ and early 20th‑century Niagara daredevils—like tightrope walker Charles Blondin, barrel-stunter Annie Edson Taylor, and Sam Patch—detailing their feats, dangers, and public spectacle. Daredevil MuseumAfter the death of his wife, Rick Moranis turned away from actingHis wife, Ann Belsky, died in 1991 from breast cancer. Moranis began turning down acting work, choosing instead to focus on raising his two children. ScreenRantMicrosoft’s 'Blue Screen of Death' was a symbol of computer crashes for over 30 yearsIn 2025, the symbol was replaced with a "Black Screen of Death" for improved readability and alignment with Windows 11's modern design. It became a pop culture symbol after appearing in Bill Gates' live tech demo of Windows 98. The New York TimesWhat is Swedish death cleaning?Popularized in 2017 by Margareta Magnusson and her book "Döstädning: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning," Swedish death cleaning is a cultural practice that encourages older folks to organize (and often donate) their belongings before they pass. This article explores the reasons behind the practice and explains how it can alleviate stress around death. Psychology TodayThe mysterious details of Stalin's deathThe 73-year-old dictator of the Soviet Union died March 5, 1953, officially from a stroke, on top of nearly a decade of significant medical issues. But evidence suggests the longtime leader might have been poisoned less than a week before at an intimate gathering of Stalin's closest confidantes and advisors. Explore the current evidence for Stalin's alleged murder here. SmithsonianTest your knowledge of famous death daysOf the thousands of celebrities whose name you know, how many can you remember the year they died? This simple game tests your knowledge of celebrity death days. An exact match gets you 1,000 points, and if you select within 15 years of the right year you get some points. Go see how much you remember here. Celebrity Death Date Quiz GameThe death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. at the 2001 Daytona 500 is credited with sparking a safety revolution in NASCARNASCAR shifted to a safety-first culture and in 2002 opened a research and development center to focus on safety innovation. No driver has died in NASCAR’s top three series since Earnhardt’s death. NBC SportsThe tragic death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. changed NASCAR safety foreverWhen Michael Waltrip crossed the finish line at the 2001 Daytona 500, it was his first win. But the celebrations quickly turned to sorrow when everyone learned that Dale Earnhardt Sr. had died in a final-lap crash. Within eight months after the collision, nearly every driver wore head-and-neck restraints before a mandate took effect. ESPNDeath taxes have helped fund wars since the 1860sDeath taxes date back to 700 BCE and were used in Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt. In the US, they've been used to finance wars since the Civil War, and have been levied on both the estate and beneficiary. The estate tax created during WWI to help finance war efforts is still in effect today. HowStuffWorksDeath taxes are placed on a deceased person's estateDeath taxes can include liquid cash, property, stocks, or other financial assets they owned. There are two main types of death taxes in the US: the estate tax and inheritance tax. Death taxes are levied at the federal and state level, but are targeted towards the rich. InvestopediaPlay 17th-century death rouletteBefore modern science and medicine, death was much harder to escape. Using real mortality records from London's Dreadful Visitation–a collection of all the Bills of Mortality from 1665–this interactive game gives you an idea of what may have possibly killed you during the Great Plague. Grow your appreciation for life today as you stumble upon causes of death like “livergrown” and “drowned at St. Katharine’s by the Tower”. VOLE.wtfA near-death experience is a phenomenon reported by roughly 5% of the population, typically occurring after a traumatic physical event or a brief clinical death.Near-death experiences (NDEs) are moments reported by people who’ve come close to death. They describe visions like bright lights, out-of-body sensations, or encounters with otherworldly beings. While scientific research offers theories ranging from brain chemistry to psychological coping mechanisms, no single explanation fully captures the mystery of these experiences. This raises questions about whether they’re glimpses into an afterlife or simply the brain’s response to extreme trauma. Today, we're exploring the origins, theories, and scientific studies on NDEs to uncover more about this enduring phenomenon. 1440Accounts of near-death experiences share similarities with hallucinogens, with reports of mystical-like states of consciousness across both contexts.This short film explores human experiences of dying, blending personal reflections with scientific insight. It aims to illuminate the emotional, psychological, and physiological aspects of that final transition, and draws out similarities of psychedlic drug use and accounts of near-death experiences. BBC NewsNear-death experiences have been reported across cultures for millennia.This collection of ten of the earliest recorded NDEs gives an idea of how pervasive the phenomenon really is. Stories range from ancient Greek philosopher Plato telling the story of a soldier named Er, who has an NDE after being mortally wounded in battle, to a first-century Japanese monk who claimed to have visited both heaven and hell. ListverseNear-death experiences can be reminiscent of religious visions, yet people across different faiths as well as those with no declared religion have reported them.Near-death experiences are often associated with Christian concepts such as heaven or angels, but people of all faiths (or lack thereof) have reported these events. This in-depth piece by Professor Atif Khalil examines the intersections of religion and science and the common elements in Western, often Christian, experiences with those of Eastern religions such as Islam and Buddhism. Zaytuna CollegeA 'death benefit' can replace lost income, pay for a funeral, or leave a legacyThose beneficiaries are usually family members. In exchange, the policyholder pays a monthly fee for coverage. It’s normally used to cover the life of a financial provider. InvestopediaMost life insurance policies cover death by natural causes or accidentsHowever, some other causes aren’t always covered. Suicide in the first two years of coverage, high-risk activities or jobs, and war or terrorism aren’t typically covered by life insurance, for instance. However, some added benefits (or “riders”) can account for some of these situations. BankrateThe death toll of the atomic bombings in Japan remains disputed, with estimates ranging from 110,000 to 210,000.The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were inarguably devastating, but almost six decades later there is still widespread disagreement regarding how many people were killed by the atomic bombs—both on the day of the bombings and in the months and years that followed. Estimates differ by as many as 100,000 people. This article explores the issue, as well as why people may favor one number over another. Bulletin of the Atomic ScientistsVisualizing cause of death over time in AmericaAs people age, their life expectancy decreases, but the timing and speed of this decline have evolved over the years. Check out this chart which shows the shift in various causes of death of Americans over the last few decades.
Data from the... FlowingDataA leading expert on near-death experiences, psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Greyson, says that during his decades of research on this topic, this area of research has become far more mainstream and accepted as a rigorous area of inquiry.Considered one of the premier researchers on near-death studies, Dr. Bruce Greyson discusses what researchers know (and don't know) about what happens as we near death, and recounts his decades of observations on the phenomenon. Big ThinkSchizophrenia increases heat death risks in several complex waysEvidence shows that people with schizophrenia have an inherently harder time regulating internal body temperatures. They may also struggle to find safe shelter during extreme heat, and their prescribed antipsychotic medications often have dehydrating effects, collectively elevating the risk of heat-related illness and death, as illustrated by this article that focuses on the final days of Stephan Goodwin's life in 2022. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) Washington PostInvestigating the death of a 5,300-year-old mummyAuthorities generally consider a case to have gone cold once they've run out of leads or the ability to collect and consider new evidence, usually within a few years of the instigating event. Now imagine being a detective charged with investigating a death that happened more than 5,000 years ago. This article details how Alexander Horn, a then-detective inspector, attempted to solve the mystery of Ötzi the Iceman's death. New York TimesA 101 on the 'Death Cap,' the world's deadliest mushroomThe Death Cap, also known as amanita phalloides, is the most fatal mushroom on the planet, responsible for roughly 90% of the world's mushroom deaths per year. Ingestion of the mushroom wreaks havoc on the liver and kidneys, frequently leading to... Royal Botanic Gardens VictoriaHear how the Black Death reshaped Europe's economyThe Black Death killed tens of millions across Europe, but the labor shortages that followed shifted economic power. With fewer workers available, survivors demanded higher wages and better conditions—sparking what historians call a medieval “Golden Age of Labor.” NPR'Dr. Death' (4 Seasons)Taking a unique angle on the true crime genre, this series explores medical professionals whose lust for fame and success stops at nothing—even others’ lives. Each season explores a different doctor and the systems that enabled them. Begin with the season one and the story of Christopher Duntsch, accused of maiming or killing several patients, including leaving one quadriplegic and another brain-dead. WonderyHow philosophers have approached death throughout historyPhilosophers often argue the counterintuitive view that there's actually nothing to fear about death. How do they come to this attitude of acceptance toward fate? This video articulates the views on death from Socrates, Epicurus, and Zhuangzi in a breezy, digestible way. PBS CrashCourseA graphic illustration of death tolls in historical events and warsWhich killed more, the American Civil War or the Korean War? Hurricane Katrina or the Titanic sinking? You’ll be surprised how wrong you are about death tolls. Wait But Why
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