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INTRODUCTION: There are complex interactions between biological, psychological, socioeconomic factors which affect care of people nearing end of life. How and where people die has changed radically in recent times. For some attempts are made to delay death by trying to prolong life with support system.
OBJECTIVES: To get information in relation to happenings around dying, death and their determinants.
MATERIAL METHODS: Information in relation to objectives, studies, and reviews and opinions was collected using available search engines.
RESULTS: In absence of immortality, society developed rites, rituals to help in passing of life, to honor dying / dead. Dying used to be religious spiritual process, not just physiological event. Now there is excessive focus on clinical interventions during the end of life, losing sight of many traditions. Many interrelated social, cultural, economic, religious, political factors determine happenings during dying, death. Believed to be potentially appropriate, treatment is continued with hopes of cure or better life or just to prolong life for other reasons, even exploitation in present era of consumerism! While many dying are over treated in health facilities, family’s friends may or may not be around. But many dying remain undertreated, or untreated and die without access to care, even pain relief. Reasons are complex, not just resources! Without birth there would be no death. Death is certain, essential for new life. For holistic care of dying, health systems are beginning to work in partnership with families of dying, public with relook at relationships, networks, which have been replaced by professionals, their protocols. Dying, death allows new ideas, new ways in spite of all odds. Death also reminds fragility of life, about sameness, as everyone has to die and all die. Health professionals are realizing inadequacy of their knowledge of an issue which fundamentally, unavoidably affects them too.
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