Understanding Life and Death

Living and Dying

• Living encompasses the experience of being alive and engaging with life.
• Dying involves a multi-faceted process resulting in the cessation of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of existence.

Life

• Defined as the biological state preceding death, characterized by metabolism and reproduction.
• Distinguishes living entities from inanimate objects through active biological processes.
• Represents the span of existence for living beings, from individuals to civilizations and species.

Death

• Marked by the cessation of all life processes and the end of an organism's independent existence.
• Involves a return to an inert, nonliving state, representing a significant transition.
• Commonly personified as a hooded figure wielding a scythe, symbolizing the end of life.
• Can signify the collapse of structures or entities, and may cause emotional distress such as stress and embarrassment.

Dying Person's Bill of Rights

• Emphasizes the recognition of dying individuals as essential, living humans until the end.
• Upholds the right to maintain hope, even if its focus may shift over time.
• Allows for the expression of emotions regarding impending death in personal ways.
• Affirms the right to be involved in care decisions.
• Ensures continuity in medical and nursing attention, transitioning from cure to comfort.
• Guarantees the right to not face death alone, emphasizing the importance of companionship.
• States the right to live free of pain and to have honest answers to questions about the dying process.
• Protects against deception regarding one’s condition and provides support for families in coping with death.
• Supports the right to die peacefully and with dignity, respecting individual wishes.