Dying and Death, Part 1: What happens when a person dies?

What does dying mean?

Dying is the period of transition from life to death. The dying process can last for a long time (weeks to months) or can be relatively short (e.g. emergency, only a few minutes).

When does dying begin?

Dying processes begin at the cellular level, even long before we are born. Already in the uterus, excessive body cells must make way so that the individual organs can develop. Our DNA contains programs that ensure that certain cells die, that are no longer needed or that could become dangerous to the body. Dying at the end of a human life begins as soon as bodily functions fail irreversibly – when the heart, brain, or other vital systems no longer work. Medically, the term “terminal phase” is used when the body begins to stop regeneration.

Is there a specific…