Morbid Reality: Facts About Death

11. We aren't comfortable saying "death"

There are over 200 commonly used euphemisms for "die" or "death," so we don't have to say the word. Phrases such as "passing away," or "pushing daisies," are used by many to avoid completely facing the topic in conversation.

12. We've always buried our dead

The practice of burying the dead bodies dates back 350,000 years; fossils even older than Neanderthals have been found by archaeologists.

13. 100 billion deaths

There have been approximately 100 billion deaths since the beginning of time. Since there are approximately 7 billion alive right now, that means we have around 7% of all people who have ever lived on the planet right now!

14. Most die in hospitals

80% of people who die in the United States die in a hospital. No need for alarm, folks, they're still the best places to get well. It's just that most of the people that live there are, you know, sick.

15. Can't die of 'old age'

No American has officially died of 'old age' since 1951, when the government eliminated that classification on death certificates. These folks certainly seem happy about that!

16. Green burials

A Swedish company will pulverize your body and bury it in a cornstarch urn, providing a completely bio-degradable burial. Highly un-traditional, but if you spent your life concerned about the environment, why not spend death doing so as well?

17. Suicide versus murder

More people die by suicide in New York City than are murdered there. A lot of people like to refer to New York as a dangerous place because of some of the other people there, but the loneliness seems to often be the most deadly thing about it.

18. Space burials

A company in the USA called Memorial Space Flights will now launch your loved ones cremated remains in to outer space for a fee. You can pay more to have them orbit the Earth, go to the surface of the Moon, or launch into deep space (the most expensive option).

19. Green burials

A Swedish company will pulverize your body and bury it in a cornstarch urn, providing a completely bio-degradable burial. Highly un-traditional, but if you spent your life concerned about the environment, why not spend death doing so as well?

20. Suicide versus murder

More people die by suicide in New York City than are murdered there. A lot of people like to refer to New York as a dangerous place because of some of the other people there, but the loneliness seems to often be the most deadly thing about it.