Death is one thing that terrifies most people, but it comes for all of us. Find out why death happens, why it’s scary, why people say not to fear death, and discover if death has any deeper spiritual meaning.
Death is something we don’t like to talk about and seldom want to think about. It doesn’t seem fair, especially when someone we love leaves us because they die. It also seems horribly unfair if someone dies young, or before they had a chance to complete some things in life they wanted to. Death causes drastic changes in the lives of those who survive the dead, and we adjust our lives to try and avoid it in ways we might not realize. Sometimes, doctors can delay death, but eventually, we all die. Join SpiritualBlossom to explore the grim reality of death. Find out exactly what it is, and why it happens. Learn why it scares us and if it should or not. Find out what some people say the spiritual meaning of death is and decide for yourself if you fear death.
What is Death?
“For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.”- Khalil Gibran
Death is the irreversible end of all biological functions sustaining a living organism. It's when life ends. Decomposition of the body starts very soon after. Some people say that death is when the soul leaves the body but other people say that a body can scientifically live without a soul. Other people say the body is dead when the brain is severely malfunctioning. However, parts of the brain can still be working but the body can be almost completely shut down. Some people say death happens when there is no longer any heartbeat, no oxygen pumping through the veins, no breathing, and the body starts to turn cold.
For those who believe in the soul, they say that only the body dies, it being a transient, mundane vehicle for the soul. They say the soul lives forever. Some people believe that the soul moves on to another body, reincarnating. Other people believe that the soul moves on to an afterlife immediately. Some people say that there is absolutely no evidence that an afterlife exists, and the only life we have proof of is this one. Your beliefs about what death means will be influenced by both medical science and what you believe about what comes after we physically die. Is there an afterlife though? Find out here: Is There Proof of the Afterlife?
Why Death Happens
“ We die because we live.”- Herman Melville
Death happens for multiple reasons. Sometimes, the body ages to the point it cannot function anymore. Disease can bring death. Injuries can take life as well. Some people even die in the womb because their little bodies did not have the strength to sustain life. In 2024, the World Health Organization listed the top ten causes of death worldwide from 2021. These accounted for 57% of the 68 million deaths. Heart disease, COVID 19, stroke, COPD, lower respiratory infections, some cancers, forms of dementia, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and tuberculosis were the top causes. For low-income people, lower respiratory infections were the top cause, and for high-income people, heart disease was. Death spares nobody, no matter how rich! Read more from the World Health Organization here: The top 10 causes of death
Average life expectancy varies by nation.Cia.gov shared a table of life expectancy around the world. At the top of the list, people in Monaco are forecasted to live the longest with an average age of 89.9 years old at death. The country where people are likely to die youngest is Afghanistan where the average life expectancy is much lower at age 54.4. Multiple things affect life expectancy including family genetics, diet, safety of where you live, income which gives access to good food and medical treatment, and stress levels. Read the chart of the life expectancy of all the nations here: Life expectancy at birth Comparison - The World Factbook
Why is Death Frightening?
“Fear of death is worse than dying.”- Friedrich Schiller
It is normal to fear death. Our bodies are programmed to survive. The body goes into something called fight or flight mode when faced with any danger and it automatically starts doing whatever it can to survive. We not only try to remove ourselves from harm’s way, but we also seek to crush whatever is threatening us. There was a time when we hunted and gathered, but most of today’s people live in cities. We won’t be threatened by a charging bear we are hunting or a hungry pack of wolves that wants to eat whatever they can anymore. We are scared by the threat of a fatal car accident, attacks from criminals, or catching a deadly virus that could be avoided by social distancing.
So, first, the fear of death is the instinct within us to avoid it. We also fear death if we don’t know what we believe happens next. Some people who believe in an afterlife are unafraid because they feel like they are going to an eternal spiritual home. Some people fear death less as they grow older because they know it is inevitable. Other people fear death because they are afraid it might hurt. Dying of a painful illness through prolonged suffering isn’t something any of us want. Some people fear death because they don’t want to leave the people they love. If you’ve lost a loved one to death, that doesn’t mean you can never talk to them again. Find out how psychic mediums help the living communicate with the dead here: What’s a Psychic Medium- They Who Talk to the Dead
Should We Fear Death?
“ It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” – Marcus Aurelius
Some people say it is normal to be afraid of death simply because we are hardwired to survive. Other people say adaptability helps ensure survival, and if you are doing all you can to survive and thrive, it’s pointless to be afraid, but still normal. Some consider it stupid to not fear death. They believe the lack of fear of death shows a lack of a sense of self-preservation. Some people even say a lack of fear of death shows mental instability. One thing that can make you feel unstable is listening to toxic positivity, so don’t! Find out how to reject it here: Accept Feelings and Discard Toxic Positive Beliefs
Some people say to never be afraid of death. Some say worrying about things we can’t control drives our stress levels up and will shorten your life- which is exactly what you want to avoid. Other people say there is an afterlife or another life we will be born to and even when our bodies die, we will live forever. Some people say that instead of being afraid of death, we should be concerned about leaving things undone in our life. So, they create a list of things they want to do before they die.
What’s On Your Bucket List?
That list of things someone wants to accomplish in life is called a bucket list. Do you have one? It’s not drawn up to focus on death, but to focus on making the most out of your life. Everyone has a bucket list, even if it isn’t written down. Ask yourself what kind of things you want to do in life. Are there trips you want to take? What kind of new things do you want to learn? What kind of things have you always wanted to do that you haven’t? Is there someone you want a relationship with? What’s stopping you from telling them? You never know what tomorrow will bring- yes- even death. So, go out and live a good life, doing the things you want to do today. Just make sure to tell people if you love them and find out how here: When Should I Tell Him I Love Him?
The Spiritual Significance of Death
“The soul migrates from body to body. Weapons cannot cleave it, nor fire consume it, nor water drench it, nor wind dry it.”- from the Bhavad Gita
Different faiths have their beliefs about the spiritual meaning of death. Read what Buddhism, Judaism, Wicca, and Christianity have to say about it.
Buddhism
Death in Buddhism is an end to your current life on earth, and the chance to be reborn in another body. Your deeds in life decide how you are reborn. Buddhists’ main goal is to break the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and enter into a state of being known as Nirvana. It means you no longer die and reincarnate, but are enlightened and completely liberated from all suffering. Buddhists are told to be aware of the impermanence of life and that past deeds and decisions influence future lives. These deeds cause karma, or the law of cause and effect, and this is inescapable. So to them, the meaning of death is that of a new beginning based on things they have done in this life. Doing right and avoiding wrong can help build good karma. Learn how here: Do the Right Thing- Knowing the Right Thing to Do
Judaism
The meaning of death in Judaism does not include reincarnation. Judaism teaches that death is part of their god’s plan and the soul is released from its vessel, the body, upon death. They believe the body may die, but the soul lives forever, and journeys beyond mortal life. Different Jewish traditions teach different views of the afterlife. Some say the soul journeys to a realm of judgement based on deeds during life, and the fate of their soul will be decided. Some believe the body will be resurrected when a Messiah returns, while others don’t. They all agree, though, death is not the end of life. Just the end of the physical body. Belief in angels is strong in Judaism. Read about angels here: What is an Angel? Your Complete Guide
Wicca
Wiccans believe in reincarnation, but they don’t believe in your deeds in life specifically influencing a new life. Wiccans do, however, believe we can recognize people we love in a new life. “I think I met you in a past life” is something a Wiccan might say. Wiccans form their own morals and views of right and wrong based on “An it harm none, do what thou wilt.” That is based on “Do what Thou Wilt” which the occultist Aleister Crowley expressed, meaning that each individual should do only what they are born to do, without being held back by society or other people’s expectations. That doesn’t mean Wiccans do whatever they are in the mood to do, however. It just means their focus is on spiritually being true to themselves, and when they die, they will reincarnate to another life to do so again. Some Wiccans follow seven tenets, or teachings that guide their lives. You can read more here: Seven Spiritual Tenets of Wicca
Christianity
To Christians, death is the end of human life, and a one-time opportunity to join their god in heaven or be separated from him for eternity. Which thing happens depends on decisions the individual Christian has made in life. Some Christian denominations like Baptists and Pentecostals believe that you should try to follow religious commandments, but what truly decides whether you go to heaven is whether you accept Jesus into your heart. Other denominations believe that faith as well as deeds in life decide whether you go to heaven or not. Death is the moment the afterlife with or without their god begins. Read about Angel Number 6, 666, and the notorious misidentification of it with evil here: What is the Angel Number Six and 666 Meaning?
Do You Fear Death?
“I’m not afraid of death. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” – Woody Allen
About 62 million people worldwide die each year. That is about 150,000 people per day, and up to about 7,000 people per hour. It’s not unusual to be afraid that you may be next. Some people are far too focused on things they are doing every day to worry about when the day comes that they won’t be around to do those things anymore. If your focus is the path you are walking, and you don’t fear death, that’s okay. What is your focus in life and what path should you be walking? Find out here: What is Your Lifepath?
Some people have no fear of themselves dying, but of losing someone they love to death. When a loved one passes away, it can be devastating and change the lives of their surviving loved ones forever. Fear of leaving the people we love when we die is strong in some people too. If you believe as some do, we can reincarnate in a future life to be with the people we love again. Even if you don’t, you can remember your loved ones after death and if you die first, they can remember you. One holiday some observe to remember their beloved dead is Samhain and you can read about it here: All About Samhain
Death comes to take us all, but not everybody agrees what the meaning of death is. Some people say it is just the end of life, but some Buddhists, Jewish people, Wiccans, Christians, and other religious people believe death means so much more. It is the opportunity to be reborn or enter an afterlife. While a lot of people say fear of death is normal and we are programmed to fear death in order to survive, other people say fear of death is uncalled for. How do you feel? Does death terrify you, or are you at peace with the fact wae all die?
Are you dealing with the death of a loved one, and would like to know how to process your grief? We are here all day every day for you. Reach out and get a reading with your very own psychic started today.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for The Green Egg Magazine and PaganPages.Org emag.
