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01.09.2009 9:45 am

How do you want to die?

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Happy Friday! Let’s talk about this!

We have a relatively new database up on STLtoday that describes the ways people in Missouri and Illinois have died. Here’s an excerpt from the introduction to the database, which you can explore by clicking this link:

More than 150,000 people die each year in Missouri and Illinois. The information comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which compiles mortality data for the U.S. from death certificates in each state. Some deaths occur from multiple causes, but an overarching cause is determined for almost all deaths. More than 36,000 people in Missouri and Illinois died of some form of cancer in 2004. In St. Louis City, Jackson County, Mo., and Cook County, Ill., more people died from homicides than motor vehicle accidents in 2004.

In my home county in 2004, for example, 10,712 people died. Of those, the lion’s share were by what is described as “natural causes.” Ischemic heart disease was the leading single cause with 2,529 deaths.

I intend to live a good long life and then die in my sleep quietly at home; it isn’t going to be a surprise to anyone. Wish me luck with that.

How do you want to go?

108 comments

Comments are closed.

Peaceful and in my sleep, not screaming in horror like my passengers.

— Go_Fish
10:04 am January 9th, 2009

Happy. Dreams fulfilled. In the arms of someone who loves me. Unless she went first and is waiting for me.

— BillHaas
10:06 am January 9th, 2009

Complete, totally spent, and present.

— Another
10:15 am January 9th, 2009

In grace with the Lord and at peace with all who know me, especially
family.

— Calamity
10:18 am January 9th, 2009

When I pass on I would like for it to be out in the middle of the sea on a boat, the water blue as the sky, on a warm summer day, with a light breeze, enjoying the tranquility and not having a worry in the the world. That could be kind of scary too, because what if no one finds me? and when they do I’ll be wickedly scary corpse!!

— Nikki
10:19 am January 9th, 2009

When I’m 105, riding my Harley and shot by a jealous husband?

— mick7
10:34 am January 9th, 2009

Considering how awful everything seems to be in this world now, and how horribly people treat one another on a daily basis on this blog alone, I just hope that however I die, it’s soon.

There is no hope left in this world for any of us. The disgustingness of humanity is on display every singe day right here on TOTD.

— Joey
10:38 am January 9th, 2009

I want to go out right after awesome sex. Hopefully there will be someone else there experiencing it with me even…

— Tim
10:46 am January 9th, 2009

Be careful what you wish for…

— Joey's stalker
10:47 am January 9th, 2009

Coincidence, it is my dream as well to greet my demise while standing at the helm of sailboat. Sailing into the sunset on a beam reach in a 15 kt breeze–a glass of an outstanding bordeaux in hand–my 43′ boat silently slices through the pulse of the 3′ seas. I had given know thought to the mess the boat would be in after a few weeks until Nikki mentioned it. Oh well, whoever finds the boat can just clean it up themselves if they want the boat.

— Lunar Chiroptera
10:52 am January 9th, 2009

Thanks for the reminder Tim, I got it now. Sunset, 43′ boat, outstanding bordeaux, awesome sex, dead. Got it, thanks.

— Lunar Chiroptera
10:58 am January 9th, 2009

Joey’s Stalker,

Thanks, you just proved my point…

— Joey
11:03 am January 9th, 2009

In a daring and high-profile blaze of glory–like Butch & Sundance. (Yes, I know they didn’t really die at the hands of the Bolivian army! I’m talking about the movie!) Even better if it’s pointless and unaffiliated with some “larger cause!”

— D2theMcV
11:18 am January 9th, 2009

Let me be shot by some lady’s jealous boy friend when I am somewhere in my nineties.

— Kenrick
11:32 am January 9th, 2009

I don’t

— slamfist
11:34 am January 9th, 2009

Hopefully in the next few years someone will invent an anti-aging drug that will keep us all going.

Don’t really care how I go because I can’t control it. If I had my choice, it would be in my sleep. I have a feeling that would be alright with my wife as long as it was not in our bed together. O.K. how about in my sleep alone.

Tim has a good idea except it would scare the hell out of the other person involved.

— first tom
11:35 am January 9th, 2009

first tom, that’s only IF someone else is involved…

The boat idea is a good one Lunar. Why not go out in the tropical seas on some fancy yacht.

— Tim
11:41 am January 9th, 2009

I have to eat sushi and drink champagne that can happen after sex, then I’ll have to kick my boyfriend off the boat so he won’t see me die, sounds too sad!!

— Nikki
11:43 am January 9th, 2009

I’ve decided not to go through with it.

— jfmoyn
1:46 pm January 9th, 2009

I would like to die of old age.

— Only the good die young
2:18 pm January 9th, 2009

After interacting with St. Louisan’s I feel as if I’m dying of boredom.

— I'm ready
2:21 pm January 9th, 2009

I hope to die the way my grandfather died. Sleeping peacefully. Not screaming in terror the way to the other 3 people in the car did.

— Harry
2:36 pm January 9th, 2009

How about a nice massive heart attack in my sleep while I am wearing nice pajamas and my nails are done AND hair fixed:)

— Jean
2:44 pm January 9th, 2009

While having wild and passionate love making with the most sexist gal in the world.This would diffently leave out my girlfriend!

— steve665
3:07 pm January 9th, 2009

lucy in the sky with diamonds or white rabbit

— whirled peas
3:11 pm January 9th, 2009

I now believe many Americans would willingly die in a False Flag Terror Attack so that the Imperialist US Federal Govt can use it as a pretext for attacking sovereign nations that dare to stand up to the NWO.

— 9 out 10
3:16 pm January 9th, 2009

On Halloween, dressed as Aldo Cella, plied with wine and surrounded by beautiful women. Aldo always had the wine and women…(sigh).

— EJ Rotert
3:23 pm January 9th, 2009

Steve… Wouldn’t the most `sexist’ gal in the world be a misandrist? She probably wouldn’t want to have sex with a guy. :)

— EJ Rotert
3:27 pm January 9th, 2009

Wanna go with a bottle of viagra in one hand and a blonde in the other.

— Jom
3:34 pm January 9th, 2009

Death is a big conspiracy dreamed up by the U.S. Government with the help of aliens so that we can all be enslaved in Matrix-like cocoons and power their war machine. We will spend eternity as heat-generating machines being forced to watch reruns of Beavis and Butthead to numb our senses. Forget that there is absolutely no proof of anything I just said or even that the power-generation thing is thermodynamically impossible, I have sniffed out the government conspiracy!!! I also like to wear pajamas with feet to bed at night to feel safe. Where’s my foil?

— The other 1 out 10
4:43 pm January 9th, 2009

The other 1 out of 10… I agree with everything except the Beavis and Butthead part. Instead, we’ll be subjected to continual broadcasts of the Rush Limbaugh show to numb our senses.

— EJ Rotert
4:46 pm January 9th, 2009

On the phone with the CDC, explaining to them that Franklin County Missouri has over 100,000 people, (not in 2000– our population went over in the interim count of 2006, and we’re working on charter government as a result) and asking them the difference between suicide and self-inflicted death. ???

Other than that– just fall over at my keyboard in a warm, well-lighted place would be nice.

— Teresa
4:55 pm January 9th, 2009

If given a choice - I would like to die when I’ve completed my work on this earth. My only request is that I die in a manner where none of my loved ones feel any guilt. But, my bigger concern is my death party and what to wear. You have to wear the right clothes so that when everyone walks by they whisper, didn’t they do a good job - don’t they look natural (my response - no dead looks dead sorry). So no I won’t worry about what suit to wear. Now for the atmosphere of my death party. Hm what would be a good party theme? Should there be an open bar and a DJ or a live band- they are so expensive. This sounds like a better investment to me than the funeral selections from the standard death party (funerals) catalogs. But, I don’t think spiked punch, or jello shots would be appropriate - there probably would be those underage at the funeral. So with no body, no alcohol, no dancing how would anyone have any fun at my death party? Celebrating my life with God and “paying it forward” sounds good to me.

— Don't cry for me Argentina
7:53 pm January 9th, 2009

……………………blown to smithereens…….Aaaargh

— crashtest
8:02 pm January 9th, 2009

I wept for Argentina because that post sucked what fun there was in this question. Why don’t you just go to a nursing home and hang around like a spector of death

— I cried for Argentina
8:25 pm January 9th, 2009

My path and time of passing from this short life into my eternal one is already decided and known by my Creator. My only prayer, is that my few years on this earth are not all spent selfishly, that I accomplish much if not all of my Purpose and that I leave a legacy of which my children and friends will be happy to remember.

— Allen B
8:28 pm January 9th, 2009

Argentina… I don’t go to friend’s funerals. Who wants to see a friend that way? Now, enemies are another matter.

— EJ Rotert
8:29 pm January 9th, 2009

Wait a sec Allen, if your life is to end at a pre-set time, why do you worry about how much time you spend being selfish? Isn’t your whole life already mapped out for you? Just do whatever because that must be the way it is supposed to be, eh?

— r2d2
10:48 pm January 9th, 2009

After being in Iraq and fighting in a war and coming back alive, I’d say possibly in my sleep or while I’m awake and when I’m by myself reflecting on life’s passing’s. I know Heaven awaits me with the good Lord Jesus waiting for me.

— Matt
2:09 am January 10th, 2009

I want to be shot in the back fleeing my lovers jealous boyfriend……at the age of 93.

— HWallbanger
5:22 am January 10th, 2009

When I was a firefighter I always thought that I would go in the line of duty. Nothing is more sadder or more prestigous than that. Everybody shows up in uniform and you have the honor guard there with playing amazing grace playing on the bagpipes. Now since I dont have my job any more I no idea!

— itsnotjustajob
5:56 am January 10th, 2009

can’t really say

— hamlet
6:58 am January 10th, 2009

I want to die on my own terms, with dignity and while I still understand what is going on

— Geek
7:10 am January 10th, 2009

with a beer in my hand and a smile on my face.

— tigger71
8:03 am January 10th, 2009

I am getting ready to take a flight for business. I am not afraid of flying, but the thought of death always seeps into my daydreams leading up to the departures (not many fender benders for airplane accidents). At any rate, I always hope my death is quick with no pain. My biggest hope is that I die after my kids are adults, have become good, successful people, and have fond memories of their father.

— Little Rock Dave
8:06 am January 10th, 2009

Unforchunatly most people are unprepared to meet judge Jesus and will be rejected into everlasting darkness. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.No one will be saying boy how did i end up here you will know why if you don’t know what i’m talking about you should really look into the gospel and Get to church of Christ or the called out of Christ.

— usahats
8:37 am January 10th, 2009

Interesting. The subject of death is usually a taboo topic. I don’t particularly care how I die, but I hope that it is not the result of someone’s ignorance, especially my own. I do hope that I live long enough to see my young children into adulthood, and to play with my grandchildren a bit.

One of my favorite lines about death is from ‘Braveheart’ with Mel Gibson playing William Wallace; “Every man dies, but not every man really lives.”

— Daddy Hogwash
8:43 am January 10th, 2009

Matt 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

— usahats
8:47 am January 10th, 2009

I’m more than willing to die for my country or saving a fellow Soldier but if that does not happen then I need to go before I become old and helpless, a hinderence to my daughter and grandchildren. I will accept any fate as long as it is not long and painful, like cancer or some other terminal illness.

— Bluecord79
9:09 am January 10th, 2009

I want to be sold into bondage by a matronly owner at an overpriced fee to an owner in another state and slowly bleed to death when my new owner can’t pay the loan sharks.

— flyover
9:10 am January 10th, 2009

I wanna go out the way I came butt-naked and in japan

— C.Jordan
9:10 am January 10th, 2009

usahats

What does that have to do with the price of tee in China?

Stick to the Question at hand

How do you want to go?

— Curious
9:14 am January 10th, 2009

Getting caught in the gears of a combine. No that’s a way to go.

— Frank Drebben
9:16 am January 10th, 2009

Shot by an irate husband at age 102 while climbing down a drain pipe from the third floor!

— Dobeman
9:28 am January 10th, 2009

I hope to die without a pulse or respirations. Other than that, I know where I’m going so it does not matter.

— nonendd
9:30 am January 10th, 2009

I would like to go out in blazing glory.

— Reed Davis
9:38 am January 10th, 2009

My prayer is for a happy and holy death - having been anointed and having received Holy Communion from a priest, surrounded by family. Also, how beautiful it would be to be escorted from this world by the Blessed Virgin Mary at the hour of my death.

— SanctusLudovicus
9:52 am January 10th, 2009

Eaten by a rampaging pack of rabid chipmunks… Just like my old man.

— BeaverFlea5150
9:53 am January 10th, 2009

I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather. Not like the screaming passengers in his car.

— Juddmon
9:53 am January 10th, 2009

I would like to die of a massive heart attack at the age of 89 while sweatfully paying my annual Mile High Club membership fee… :)

— mad cow in therapy
9:59 am January 10th, 2009

I want to be shot dead, by a jealous Husband, on my 99th birthday

— jim
10:32 am January 10th, 2009

I want to go by being shot by a jealous 25 year old husban!

— Jim
10:38 am January 10th, 2009

It doesn’t matter to me how I would die, be it a car accident, heart attack, gun shot, etc…I just hope its instant. I don’t want to sit around in pain for a couple days and I don’t want my family to go through that.

— Amber
10:47 am January 10th, 2009

It appears that this question has exposed some strange death fantasies, mostly related to dying while having sex with someone else’s spouse. Perhaps that next question should be, “Who do you recommend for counseling?”

— Daddy Hogwash
10:53 am January 10th, 2009

I want to leave a big stain somewhere when I go

— loki03xlh
10:58 am January 10th, 2009

Well let’s see. First of all, some of you have some really peacful and tranquil ways of departing into the after life. Others…………..mayyyyyyyyyyyyy………..need to see a shrink. Me personally, I used to shoot squirrels and dogs as a child with my pellet gun. Some of them on purpose, but mostly for tearing my family and I’s trash up and scattering it over half the damn block (terrible stray dog problems in Jennings in the 80’s and early 90’s…LOL). So I always thought I might get eaten by a pack of dogs, but now I own a family dog and love dogs in general. I also used to think my hatred of cops might lead me to shooting it out in a blaze of glory with them, but I’ve since matured from the teen years and have grown to respect their work (not from the crooked ones). If they don’t bother me, I sure as hell won’t bother them. To be honest, I feel as though I’ll never die, even when I’m gone in the physical form, for I am God’s Son. Not the “Big Brother” Jesus, I’m simply a child of God. I feel old age is a beautiful blessing of the wise and wouldn’t mind living to be as old as I possibly can. I used to volunteer with senior citizens at the age of 10 yrs. old and always clung to people older than me rather than people younger than me or my same age. So I guess with all that said, I won’t put a number or description on it. I just hope I’ve been able to learn enough and live godly enough to meet eternal peace and teach those younger than I (most notably my own flesh and blood) how to be decent and comfortable human beings all while loving the Lord. PeAcE!!!!!!!

— NewGovt/NewAmerica
11:12 am January 10th, 2009

What an easy question if there ever was one. Bottle of good liquor, bottle of pills.

— Sarah
11:19 am January 10th, 2009

It would be nice to be sucked up to heaven, body and soul in a big wooshing sound. But I guess it put the undertakers out of work if much of this went on.

— Kenrick
11:31 am January 10th, 2009

Matt… You can’t know that. You can believe that, but that’s all.

— EJ Rotert
11:36 am January 10th, 2009

Also, usahats: You don’t know that either.

— EJ Rotert
11:41 am January 10th, 2009

First choice, freeze to death. If I were to come down with a hopelessly terminal illness, I would say goodbye to my family and board a flight to Tibet. Try to climb Mount Everest with no gear! They say after the initial pain of hypothermia, things become delightful, surreal, even euphoric. one dies in a state of bliss.

Other than that scenario, I’d like to be eaten my a huge beastly animal and re-enter the food chain. Instant karma!

— birdybee
12:01 pm January 10th, 2009

Quickly.

— brain47
12:47 pm January 10th, 2009

“I’m not afraid of dying; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

–Woody Allen

— Socrates
12:52 pm January 10th, 2009

At about 98+ years, in full health and possession of my so-called mental faculties and after used up all my Social Security that I paid into for 43 years, peacefully and during my sleep after having made my last Confession, attended Mass and received Holy Communion leaving no unpaid debts for my descendants.

— fr8bil
1:05 pm January 10th, 2009

I would want to die of old age, not before my childern. I would want to just slip away during the night and not be in pain. I would want to live a full life and acomplish everything that i wish to. I might make a bucket list.

— katie
1:08 pm January 10th, 2009

Rather than worrying about how one is going to die, concern yourself with living. Death comes to all, but living a good life is real work.

My Mother worked hard and raised three of us, then in her “retirement” she found many different activities to keep herself going. One morning (April 1st) she got up to get her morning newspaper, and died.

For those concerned about living a long life, remember Mozart died at 35.

— RHarnack
1:13 pm January 10th, 2009

And Gauguin began to live at 35.

— EJ Rotert
1:16 pm January 10th, 2009

I would like to be sick for 1 month (so my family will not be shocked when I die and I will not linger), then die peacefully in the arms of someone who loves me.

— Judith
2:11 pm January 10th, 2009

What kind of an awful topic is this?? Couldn’t the P.D. think of a more cheerful article to post??

— Jay
2:30 pm January 10th, 2009

On my 100th borthday, of a post coital heart attack.

— Arathorn
2:31 pm January 10th, 2009

As long as this bizarre question was asked hasn’t anyone said they’d like to die at 130 or 150 therby reaching new limits of the human lifespan? With medical science AND a healthy lifestyle someone living on earth today will live at least 130 years old if not longer. The future will probably see a human live to 150 or more but probably not in our lifetime.

— Thundersnow
2:43 pm January 10th, 2009

In a gigantic explosion whilst battling an army of zombies, or archery hunting for cape buffalo.

— Lee
3:07 pm January 10th, 2009

Jay… Don’t you know that some cultures actually rejoice when someone dies and mourn when someone is born. Just depends on your viewpoint.

— EJ Rotert
3:31 pm January 10th, 2009

I hope to die with dignity and respect, not connected to tubes, machines, and tons of medications keeping me artifically alive. I feel that if we have come to the end of our time here on earth we should be afforded the respect to determine when enough is enough and be allowed to go as pain free and calmly as possible. Our society will allow us to gently and lovingly help our canine and feline friends into the next world when they are beyond our help for healthful improvement. But we allow our human friends and loved ones to be poked, prodded, subjected to days or weeks of lingering with pain or tubes and medications simply delaying the inevitable. Please, allow me at the end of my time to get as much pain medication as I may need to keep me relieved from suffering and allow me to pass on with dignity.

— StayYng
3:41 pm January 10th, 2009

I want to die in a huge explosion, possibly in an old, abandoned warehouse. Quick, relatively painless, and AWESOME.

— Mike Huelsing
5:14 pm January 10th, 2009

StayYng, animals don’t go anywhere when they die. Their bodies are incinerated or buried, the molecules of their corpses eventually returning to the soil to be used by other organic life in their fruitless attempt to continue their species line even though all life in the universe is doomed to end. Their atoms will eventually come to rest in a black hole or on a dark, cold body flying through space for all time as the universe tears itself apart. The same thing will happen to you.

Time HAS no memory.

— Reaper
5:20 pm January 10th, 2009

And you know this for sure how Reaper? Remember: most everyone’s really agnostic.

— EJ Rotert
5:32 pm January 10th, 2009

I want to go quickly. I don’t want to be in the hospital hooked up to a machine for years where my family is put through the mental suffering and having to pay to huge medical expensives.

— gene
6:02 pm January 10th, 2009

I have no intention of dying.
I’m going to ascend.

— Kim Anthony Kersey
6:13 pm January 10th, 2009

In a hail of gunfire.

— Joey
6:38 pm January 10th, 2009

An hero.

— Hal
7:15 pm January 10th, 2009

I want to go whistling by the graveyard.

— EJ Rotert
8:04 pm January 10th, 2009

In the arms of the only woman that I ever loved. If that happens I know that I will have spent my last minute on this earth very happy.

— Donald
8:13 pm January 10th, 2009

Hopefully of a heart attack in my sleep. I live alone so I hope someone finds me rapidly. I don’t want to lie there and stink for a week.

— Ms. Knowitall
9:58 pm January 10th, 2009

Ms. Knowitall… How can you be Ms. Knowitall when my ex-wife knew it all?

— EJ Rotert
7:18 pm January 11th, 2009

Right after I leave the confessional,or in the confessional.

— momama
10:32 pm January 11th, 2009

Fast and painless, doing one of the many things I love! (I’ll forgo the fast and painless part if I am fortunate to be doing one of the many things I love)

— A. Patriot
6:48 am January 12th, 2009

I want this topic to die so we can move on to something else!

— Tim
8:59 am January 12th, 2009

I want to go to sleep and just never wake up

— klbrn90
6:11 am January 13th, 2009

Jamming to some tunes

— johnn SexFuk
2:08 pm January 13th, 2009

Sitting next to a large oak tree in the back 40 in the waining hours of a COLD DEC.afternoon. Throwing down a bottle of Maker’s. Watching and listening to the sounds of woods until i just go to sleep . : )

— Rob
1:24 pm January 14th, 2009

wow, Rob, i was going to type something very very similar. probably wine or a good beer instead of the whiskey, and it doesn’t really matter what time of year. if that doesn’t work out, drifting off with a fishing pole in my hand would work for me; gently listening to the waves lap against the dock/boat/canoe and just barely hearing someone yell “i got something big” while the drag on the reel just zings away! i also liked the person who said “in the arms of someone who loves me” as long as that doesn’t terribly scar them, and most of my friends and family could handle it i think.

— thinkaboutit
2:47 pm January 15th, 2009

skip lingering death and being a burden on the family and friends. Quick and easy. I can pass on pyramids being built, a dumpster if fine.

— garyro
12:26 pm January 17th, 2009

Quickly.

— John
4:30 am January 19th, 2009

How do I want to die? Shot by a jealous husband when I’m 108.

— Rich Cheney
7:32 am January 21st, 2009

The lady who I love, and loves me & cares about me more than anyone ever has - for her to accept me being in a better place . I know she’ll miss me, and maybe my kids will too. How to die though ? I like some of the comments in here : next to an oak tree & to fall asleep , or on a mountain top letting cold take my body . Peacefully, as I talk to my God as I drift off. Hope it is not painful, as I do not like the pain I am experiencing now - it sucks ! Dumpster will work for me too ! Save the money kids !

— ars53
5:06 am January 23rd, 2009

I’m going to be weird here and say that I kind of want to die of TB. Okay, now that sounds kind of morbid because it’s not funny or pleasure-related in any way, but I do want to know I have a disease that’s killing me so it’s not sudden. TB seems like a good disease because it’s got the right amount of pain and suffering that would let you know you’re dying without being cancer, which is a scary word and makes much less romantic Victorian storytelling.

— Katrina
10:14 am January 23rd, 2009

I don’t.

— crichardson54
6:17 pm January 30th, 2009