livslutet

Livslutet is a Swedish term that denotes the end of life or the final phase leading to death. It is used in everyday language as well as in medical, ethical, and literary contexts to describe the period around dying, rather than death as a single event. The word combines liv (life) with slutet (the end), and can appear in phrases such as livets slutskede (the terminal phase of life) or när livslutet närmar sig (when the end of life approaches).

In healthcare and public discourse, livslutet is commonly associated with end-of-life care, including palliative care and hospice services. It is used to frame discussions about quality of life, autonomy, and decision-making as a person approaches the end of life. Because it emphasizes a phase rather than a discrete moment, the term supports nuanced conversations about symptoms, comfort, and patient wishes during terminal illness.

Relation to other terms is important: döden refers to death itself, while döende describes the process of dying. Livslängd, by contrast, refers to lifespan—the total duration of a person’s life from birth to death—rather than the end phase. The term thus occupies a distinct place in Swedish vocabulary for talking about mortality and care, often with a contemplative or clinical tone depending on context.

See also: döden, döende, livets slutskede, palliativ vård, hospice, livslängd.