What is considered to be dead?

As a medical professional with expertise in physiology and bioethics, I can provide a comprehensive answer to your question. In biological terms, death is typically defined as the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. This includes the stopping of the heart and lungs from functioning, leading to the end of blood circulation and respiration. However, the concept of death has evolved over time with advancements in medical technology. Historically, death was determined by the cessation of cardiopulmonary function, which is the stopping of the heart and lungs. This is often referred to as "clinical death" or "biological death". With the advent of modern medicine, the concept of brain death has been introduced. Brain death is determined by the irreversible loss of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem. This is a more precise criterion for death because the brain is the organ that sustains life, and once brain function ceases, the body cannot survive without artificial support. In legal terms, death might also be defined by statute, which can vary from one jurisdiction to another. Legal definitions are important for matters such as organ donation, inheritance, and the determination of the time of death for official records. It's important to note that death is a complex concept with medical, legal, and ethical dimensions, and it continues to be a subject of debate and discussion in various fields.

In certain cultures, death is more of a process than a single event. ... Today, where a definition of the moment of death is required, doctors and coroners usually turn to "brain death" or "biological death" to define a person as being dead; people are considered dead when the electrical activity in their brain ceases.