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. 
Thanks for the reminder Tim, I got it now. Sunset, 43′ boat, outstanding bordeaux, awesome sex, dead. Got it, thanks.
Joey’s Stalker,
Thanks, you just proved my point…
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!”
Let me be shot by some lady’s jealous boy friend when I am somewhere in my nineties.
I don’t
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, 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.
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!!
I’ve decided not to go through with it.
I would like to die of old age.