Death

"Every life comes to an end when time demands it. Loss of life is to be mourned, but only if the life was wasted." - Spock (TAS: "Yesteryear")

Death is the permanent end of all life functions in a lifeform (or part of a lifeform in the case of tissue damage). It can also mean the absence of life or state of being dead. Many cultures address this process as it applies to sentient beings in spiritual terms, including the holding of wakes, memorials, and funerals following the death of an individual.

The study of death is called Thanatology.

For most lifeforms, death is a permanent state. Sometimes resuscitation is possible, however:

In 2285 Spock experienced death, but with his katra having been placed into Leonard McCoy and his body regenerated on the Genesis Planet, he was able to live again. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
Neelix was also brought back from being dead, but as his death did not match his culture's beliefs regarding an afterlife, he was profoundly disturbed by the experience. (VOY: "Mortal Coil")
The Kobali were capable of reanimating dead lifeforms in order to procreate their species, however the reanimated corpse would have a limited memory of his or her prior life. (VOY: "Ashes to Ashes")
Data has noted that his off-switch provides for an experience comparable to death, albeit one that permits a simple resurrection. (TNG: "The Schizoid Man")

Death is sometimes perceived as an event that is common to all living things. In 2366 Captain Jean-Luc Picard used death and his own mortality as a way to show Nuria and her people that he was no different than they were, and certainly not a god they named "the Picard". (TNG: "Who Watches the Watchers?")

Memorable quotes

"A good interrogator doesn't allow his subject to die; you lose the advantage."

- Gul Dukat (DS9: "The Maquis, Part I")

"Today is a good day to die."

- Worf (DS9: "By Inferno's Light")

Death

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Memorable quotes

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