Natural and Unnatural Death: What's the Difference?

We've all heard the phrase "they died of natural causes," but most of us have no idea what that means. When a person dies of "old age" or as a result of a health condition or sickness, their death is deemed natural; however, if this is not the case, the death is classified as unnatural. This includes killings, suicides, violent fatalities, falls, deliberate and unintentional poisoning or overdoses, and drowning.

What is Natural Death?

Death from natural causes is one caused mostly by a sickness or illness that is not directly affected by external sources.

If the general practitioner (GP) or doctor is unsure what caused the death, they will report it to the coroner instead of certifying it. The coroner can then request a post-mortem examination to further understand how the deceased died.

If the post-mortem reveals that the death was caused by natural causes, the coroner may conclude that an investigation is not warranted. They will subsequently issue a coroner's finding, which will specify when, where, and how the individual died. This discovery will be shared with the individual's immediate relatives.

Most states recognize five different classifications of death:

1. Natural death – occurs due to the aging process or disease.

2. Homicidal death – death caused by the act of another, such as a homicide, suicide, or an accident.

3. Suicidal death – death caused by the act of the deceased.

4. Accidental death results from an unforeseen occurrence such as a car crash, boat accident, airplane crash, electrocution, and more.

5. Unclassified death – death that cannot be attributed to natural, accidental or suicidal causes.

What is Unnatural Death?

Unnatural deaths are defined as those fatalities that cannot be explained by natural causes. Accidents, homicide, suicide, violent death, falls, poisoning or overdoses

 (deliberate and inadvertent), and drowning are all covered.

The coroner may request a post-mortem examination to determine how the individual died. They can also request more reports or investigations. This stage of the process may take some time, depending on the circumstances of the death.

Following that, the coroner will examine all of the evidence. The coroner can formally assess the evidence in various ways, including an inquest or on the papers.

After reviewing the evidence, the coroner will issue a coroner's finding to specify who died and where, when, and how they died. They will notify the person's immediate relatives of the discovery.

Why Death Classifications Matter

Understanding the difference between natural and unnatural death is critical for several reasons. For example, if you're in the market to buy a property. You should find out if somebody died in the house you wish to live in to verify that it has been appropriately remediated.

Attempting to clean up a trauma or unattended death scene without the necessary education and personal protective equipment might put one's health in danger from severe blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis C and E.coli. Inadequate cleanup may also result in structural damage or the growth of mold or bacteria, which can happen when blood and biological material penetrates into concealed locations where standard cleaning products and processes cannot reach.

The Takeaway

The law states that any person trying to sell a property should disclose if the property has been the site of a death. They should also tell the buyer if the death was natural or unnatural.

The person buying the property should take it upon themselves to understand the health and safety hazards associated with a death on the premises. This will help protect themselves and future occupants from potential harm.

Anubis Hazmat provides top-quality bio-cleaning services in Florida. Our team of experienced professionals will ensure that your space is free of biohazardous waste, all for affordable prices. Reach out today to book an appointment!