Döden

Death is the permanent cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. In humans, medical definitions distinguish clinical death (cessation of heartbeat and breathing) from brain death (irreversible loss of all brain activity). Modern practice uses criteria and tests to determine death, and the event is recorded on a death certificate. Death also has social, legal, and ethical dimensions that influence care at the end of life and decisions about organ donation.

The Norwegian noun døden means death and is derived from Old Norse dauði, related to death terms in other Germanic languages. The word appears in Norwegian literature and everyday speech in expressions such as "livet og døden" (life and death) and "natten før døden" (the night before death).

Culturally and religiously, beliefs about what death signifies and what, if anything, follows, vary widely. Some traditions imagine an afterlife or rebirth; others emphasize remembrance, lineage, or moral reckoning. Funeral rites, mourning practices, and the social handling of the deceased reflect these beliefs and norms.

End-of-life care involves medical, ethical, and legal considerations, including patient autonomy, advance directives, and organ donation. Palliative and hospice care focus on comfort and quality of life when cure is not possible. Demographic trends and policy shape how societies support the dying and bereaved.

In language and art, døden is a universal theme, appearing in poetry, film, philosophy, and common idioms to express finality, risk, or danger. The topic remains a central part of human experience, affecting individuals and communities across time and cultures.