dauði

Dauði is the Icelandic noun for death, the end of life in living beings. The word derives from Old Norse dauði and is related to cognates in other North Germanic languages, such as Danish død, Norwegian død, and Swedish död. It functions as a fundamental term in medical, religious, and everyday usage.

In Icelandic culture, death is a recurring theme in literature, folklore, and religious practice. Traditional beliefs have shaped attitudes toward mourning, funerary rites, and the afterlife, with influences from Christian and older Norse ideas. The term appears in poetry, sagas, and contemporary writing as a central event that frames human experience and reflection on mortality.

In modern usage, dauði is used across medical, legal, and ordinary contexts to denote the cessation of life. The concept is discussed in philosophy and ethics, including questions about mortality, end-of-life care, and bereavement. Icelandic discourse often emphasizes dignity and compassion in discussions around dying and mourning, while culturally, death continues to be addressed with a combination of reverence, practicality, and literary exploration.