| Death occurs later. A century ago, the average life span worldwide was less than 40 years (47 in the rapidly industrializing United States). Half of the world’s babies died before age 5. Now newborns are expected to live to age 71 (79 in the U.S.); in many nations, centenarians are the fastest-growing age group. |
| Dying takes longer. In the early 1900s, death was usually fast and unstoppable; once the brain, the heart, or any other vital organ failed, the rest of the body quickly followed. Now death can often be postponed for years through medical technology: Hearts can beat for years after the brain stops functioning, respirators can replace lungs, dialysis does the work of failing kidneys. |
| Death often occurs in hospitals. For most of our ancestors, death occurred at home, with family nearby. Now many deaths occur in hospitals, with the dying surrounded by medical personnel and machines. |
| The causes of death have changed. People of all ages once usually died of infectious diseases (tuberculosis, typhoid, smallpox), or, for many women and infants, in childbirth. Now disease deaths before age 50 are rare, and in developed nations most newborns (99 percent) and their mothers (99.99 percent) live. |
| And after death… People once knew about life after death. Some believed in heaven and hell; others, in reincarnation; others, in the spirit world. Prayers were repeated—some on behalf of the souls of the deceased, some for remembrance, some to the dead asking for protection. Believers were certain that their prayers were heard. People now are aware of cultural and religious diversity; many raise doubts that never occurred to their ancestors. |