What is death To even begin the basic understanding of death in our society opens a box of questions and uncertainty Unless one is faced with an incurable illness the idea that death does not cross our mind too often Death in America is a conversation left for the dead and not the living It's as if discussing its reason or meaning will bring it closer to our lives and the thought of it can only mean something negative While conversations of death were more in fashion centuries ago today it's saved for funerals or when something tragic happens in current events Why the shift in conversation Death is one of life s few certainties Everyone will eventually die and all individuals with loved ones will ultimately become widowed Although death is universal the nature of death and dying has transformed greatly throughout history and these fluctuations have significant consequences for how people think feel and act Before the 20th century deaths usually happened in childhood or young adulthood due mainly to transmittable illnesses catastrophes or violence The circumstances of death have loosened intensely over the previous two centuries In the 19th century death was usually more visible As mentioned Death tended to occur at a moderately early age