Can you choose how and when you die?

If you are lucky enough to live in certain US states or Switzerland, then the opportunity for you to choose how and when you die is much easier. When I wrote about this previously, I was still in the middle of the decision-making process, but things have moved on.

What happens to a dying person as they get older?

Over time the person who is dying will become increasingly tired and weak. This is hard to avoid, but spacing out everyday activities and making sure they get enough rest can help. It is important that this is understood by family and visitors.

How do you make a dying person feel comfortable?

Wetting their mouth and lips can also make them more comfortable. Some people will become unconscious a few days before dying and others may die quite suddenly, even remaining awake to some extent right up until they die. If the person becomes unconscious, changing their position can help prevent soreness and stiffness.

Are you more likely to die randomly?

And, rather obviously, the more likely you are to die randomly, the less it makes sense for your genes to invest in the survival side of the equation. Every day of your life, the Universe in effect rolls a pair of many-sided dice. Snake eyes, you’re dead.

Do our own decisions affect the manner of our death?

A person who dies of a heart attack due to a lifetime of extremely unhealthy eating and little exercise would not have died in the same way or at the same time if he had eaten healthier foods and exercised more. Yes, our own decisions have an undeniable impact on the manner, timing, and place of our death.

Do we have an impact on how people die?

The answer is “no” from our perspective because we do have an impact on when, where, and how we die. Obviously, a person who commits suicide causes his own death. A person who commits suicide would have lived longer had he not committed suicide.

Does a person who dies due to a foolish decision expedite his death?

Similarly, a person who dies because of a foolish decision (e.g., drug use) “expedites” his own death. A person who dies of lung cancer from smoking would not have died in the same way or at the same time if he had not smoked.