ABSTRACT
BY DEFINITION, the life span involves a beginning (conception and birth) and end (death and dying). Death is a natural part of the life span, despite its denial in the United States (e.g., Kastenbaum & Aisenberg, 1972). Death, often conceptualized as a biological event, is preceded by a period of psychological, social, and biological processes called dying. As is discussed, these factors interact with one another to influence the course and qualities of the process of dying, and the event of death itself, as well as its probability. Although death is commonly associated with late life, it can occur at any age throughout the life span and any number of biopsychosocial forces and their interactions may bring on death and the events that surround the dying process. In addition to multiple factors, many subtopics relate to death across the various life stages. This chapter discusses patterns of death, understanding of death as well as feelings of anxiety and fear surrounding it, and the grief and bereavement that occur following the death of a loved one.
