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CATALOG

Sudden, Unexpected Death

Expected Death

Immediate or over very short time.

Gradual.

Nature of illness or injury

Acute process or acute worsening of a stable chronic illness.

Chronic-usually an illness or combination of illnesses.

Causes of death

Disease, suicide, homicide, accidental, dsaster, unknown cause.

Usually dsease or a result of aging processes.

Age of decedent

Any age, commonly young or middle-aged adults, fetuses, and neonates.

Usually elderly but can occur at any age.

Place of death

Usually in public, emergency department, ICU, or work.

Usually home, hospital, or nursing at home or home.

When death occurs

At the time of or shortly after the acute event.

Months to decades after diagnosis of chronic disease, or in old age.

Survivor reaction

Disbelief, shock, grief, dsmay, disorganization, hostility, and fear.

Grief.

Survivor involvement

Usually not present at time of death; appear gradually at death scene or ED.

Often present at time of death or aware of impending death.

Site of last contact with medical personnel

Public space, home, or emergency department.

Hospital, home, hospice, nursing home.

Resuscitation procedures

Often performed.

Rarely performed. Advance directives often available.

Patient identity

Known or often, at least initially, unknown.

Usually known.

Autopsy

Frequent and done by medical examiner or coroner.

Rare, and when done, usually by hospital pathologist.

Family’s immediate after-death rituals and requirements

Usually not pre-arranged.

Often pre-arranged by individual or family in anticipation of death.