Death by natural causes
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+ | A '''death by natural causes''', as recorded by [[coroner]]s and on [[death certificate]]s and associated documents, is one that is primarily attributed to natural agents: usually an illness or an internal malfunction of the body. For example, a person dying from complications from [[influenza]] (an infection) or a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] (an internal body malfunction) would be listed as having died of natural causes. [[Old age]] is not a scientifically recognized [[cause of death]]; there is always a more direct cause although it may be unknown in certain cases and could be one of a number of [[aging-associated diseases]]. | ||
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+ | In contrast, death caused by active intervention is called [[unnatural death]]. The "unnatural" causes are usually given as [[accident]] (implying no unreasonable voluntary risk), [[death by misadventure|misadventure]] (accident following a wilful and dangerous risk), [[suicide]], or [[homicide]]. In some settings, other categories may be added. For example, a [[prison]] may track the deaths of [[incarceration|inmates]] due to acute intoxication separately. | ||
+ | ==See also== | ||
+ | * [[Unnatural death]] | ||
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A death by natural causes, as recorded by coroners and on death certificates and associated documents, is one that is primarily attributed to natural agents: usually an illness or an internal malfunction of the body. For example, a person dying from complications from influenza (an infection) or a heart attack (an internal body malfunction) would be listed as having died of natural causes. Old age is not a scientifically recognized cause of death; there is always a more direct cause although it may be unknown in certain cases and could be one of a number of aging-associated diseases.
In contrast, death caused by active intervention is called unnatural death. The "unnatural" causes are usually given as accident (implying no unreasonable voluntary risk), misadventure (accident following a wilful and dangerous risk), suicide, or homicide. In some settings, other categories may be added. For example, a prison may track the deaths of inmates due to acute intoxication separately.
See also