Death is a biological fact but it has social, cultural, historical, religious, psychological
and ethical aspects and often these are closely intertwined. The traditional definition of
biological death is the cessation of heartbeat and respiration. Advances in modern
medical technology have complicated this definition since these bodily functions can be
maintained long after social and psychological death has occurred. Many professional
associations and ad hoc interdisciplinary committees have struggled with this problem
and have developed criteria by which to establish death.1 In the western societies, death
has become a subject that people are increasingly willing to discuss and study. People
have developed a healthier attitude toward death - an attitude that seeks to understand it,
to explore the emotional, the moral and the practical issues surrounding it. The study of
death and dying is arousing a great deal of interest as people recognize the importance of
integrating death into life.
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