deceaseds

Deceased refers to a person who has died. The conventional term to describe someone who has passed away is the deceased, used in both speech and writing. For multiple individuals, the standard phrasing is the deceased or deceased persons; the form deceaseds is uncommon and generally considered nonstandard in modern English.

In legal and probate contexts, the phrase the deceased marks the subject of estate and succession proceedings. After death, property becomes the deceased's estate; an executor (named in a will) or administrator (if there is no will) handles administration, debt settlement, and asset distribution under applicable law.

Records and memorials: Obituaries announce the death and summarize life achievements; death certificates and vital records provide official confirmation of death; cemetery and memorial records preserve resting places. Genealogists and historians use lists of the deceased to trace lineage and study demographics.

Usage note: The word late as a modifier, e.g., the late Jane Doe, is a polite alternative. In data handling and journalism, sensitivity guidelines often restrict how deceased persons are described to respect privacy and dignity, especially for recently deceased individuals.