How do you want to die?
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?
Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
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 . : )
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.
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.
Quickly.
How do I want to die? Shot by a jealous husband when I’m 108.
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 !
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.
I don’t.