Death:1. The conclusion of life. Life's termination. (These typical definitions of death ultimately rely on the definition of life, which remains a topic without unanimous agreement.)2. The irreversible end of all essential bodily functions. (This definition hinges on what is meant by "essential bodily functions.") Refer to: Essential bodily functions.3. Under common law, death is determined by the stoppage of all vital functions, traditionally shown by "a lack of spontaneous breathing and heart activity."4. The standardized determination of death. In 1980, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws developed the Uniform Determination of Death Act. It declares: "An individual who has experienced either (1) the irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, or (2) the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, is considered dead. The determination of death must align with accepted medical standards." This definition received approval from the American Medical Association in 1980 and the American Bar Association in 1981.
