Experts say knowing more about death – or ‘death literacy’ – can actually help quell fears of dying.

Experts say knowing more about death – or ‘death literacy’ –can actually help quell fears of dying.  An excerpt from an article in The Guardian.

Death is not a mystery. It is not a medical disaster. It is a bodily process, like giving birth or like going to the bathroom or coughing, your body knows what to do.

To some extent, each death is unique because it depends on a person’s age, health status and reason for dying, says Julie McFadden, a hospice nurse and online educator in Los Angeles, California. But for those unaffected by a traumatic event, such as a car accident, most people will experience certain stages and symptoms.

Months before death, the transition phase begins, says McFadden. This entails spending more time in bed, eating and drinking less, and needing more help with daily tasks such as getting dressed and going to the bathroom. During this time, it can be hard to keep up with conversations and sleep will take up most of the day.

Due to a lower food and beverage intake, at this point it’s possible to enter ketosis, a state in which the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Some people may experience pain relief or euphoria as a result, but it’s not entirely clear why. Some research suggests the neurotransmitter Gaba increases during ketosis, which makes you feel calm, while cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases.

Above all, “we are built for death just like we’re built for birth”, says McFadden. “The more we understand that, the better we will live –and the more peaceful we will die.”

To see this whole article from The Guardian, see: https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/may/29/what-happens-when-you-die

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