Death

71 Stories

‘Weep. Scream. Hate. Disbelieve. Go numb. Breathe.’ Hard-earned lessons about loss and grief

‘A Little Book of Self-Care for Those Who Grieve began as notes scratched out over many midnights; thoughts formed as I lay sleepless, or in the aftermath of painful dreams.’
- John O'Brien
Nearly 800 people believed to have died in Northwest heat wave

The heat wave from two weeks ago is now one of the deadliest weather-related events in Washington state history.
- Paige Browning
The West Coast Heat Has Killed Dozens And Hospitalized More In Canada And The U.S.

Heat-related illnesses have sent hundreds of people to the ER across the region as temperatures hit unprecedented highs. British Columbia reported about 100 excess deaths from Friday to Monday.
- Jaclyn Diaz
Death is inevitable, yet unknowable. So how should the living prepare for it?

Death is terrifying. Seemingly unknowable yet inevitable. As young people, we know that death happens, but there’s a lot of fear and unknowns surrounding it. Especially after this past year, we have been thinking more about death and the death industry, and we have so many questions.
- Soraya Marashi
On a forensic mission to give Jane and John Does back their names

'I feel very strongly that the only thing that you own your entire life is your name. To have that taken away when you die, it's not fair. We have to give these people back their names.'
- Andy Hurst
Death with dignity act may undergo its first major change in Washington state

The Washington Legislature is considering the first significant changes to the Death with Dignity Act more than a decade after Washington voters approved the law.
- Angela King
Out of a summer of Black grief, insisting on Black joy

As a full spectrum doula, Davinah Simmons holds space for both life and death. 2020 saw disproportionate levels of Black death, from the novel coronavirus and from ongoing police brutality.
- Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong
COVID-19 Deaths Top 1 Million Worldwide. How These 5 Nations Are Driving The Pandemic

Nine months after the first reported fatality in China last January, the world has hit a sobering milestone.
- Nurith Aizenman
I want my hair to be fully gray. The lives of Black folks should end with dignity

As a Black man, these past few months I have thought a lot about dying. More than usual.
- Ed Taylor
Death with dignity: A conversation with NPR’s Diane Rehm

According to longtime NPR host Diane Rehm, “talking about death in the U.S. is the last taboo.” And its something she says needs to change.
- Sonya Harris

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