Death and dying — the physical process

Death is a physiological process — the body's systems shutting down in a sequence that, while variable, has recognizable patterns — and understanding this process can reduce both fear and unnecessary intervention. The dying body naturally withdraws from food and water, prioritizes certain functions over others, and often moves through periods of apparent clarity and confusion in the final days. Knowing what to expect does not make death easy, but it makes it less alien and allows presence to replace panic.