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Presence at the time of death and factors associated with dying alone

A nationwide registry study

Bibliographic Data

ID24228084
AuthorsAnette Alvariza (0000-0003-2711-0245, Marie Cederschiöld University), Kristofer Årestedt (0000-0002-0961-5250, Linnaeus University), Maria Norinder (0000-0002-8892-8123, Marie Cederschiöld University), Carina Lundh Hagelin (0000-0002-0197-9121, Marie Cederschiöld University), Sofia Andersson (0000-0002-1728-5722, Umeå University), Jane Österlind (0000-0001-9559-1939, Marie Cederschiöld University), Linda Björkhem-Bergman (0000-0003-3505-9283, Palliative Medicine and R&D unit, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation), Anette Duarte (The Institute for Palliative Care, Region Skåne), Maria E C Schelin (0000-0001-5486-7556, The Institute for Palliative Care, Region Skåne), Christel Hedman (0000-0003-4183-7598, Palliative Medicine and R&D unit, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation)
Year2026
Pages1-9
Publication date2026-10-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDeath Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0748-1187 • E-ISSN: 1091-7683
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/07481187.2026.2747269
PMID42868223
OpenAlexW7221721691
LanguageEN
References cited25

This study used data from the Swedish Register of Palliative Care, supplemented with questions, to investigate presence at the time of death and explore factors associated with dying alone. The sample consisted of 10,574 patients who had died an expected death, of whom 77% had someone present at the time of death. Only 19% had expressed a wish regarding the presence of others; among those who had not, the odds of dying alone were higher. In 93%, family members had been informed that death was imminent; when they had not been informed, the odds of the patient dying alone was higher. When patients died alone, the time since someone was last present ranged from between one minute to more than 60 minutes. Furthermore, the absence of a documented medical decision regarding transition to end-of-life palliative care and higher age were associated with higher odds of dying alone.

Bereavement · death records · dying alone · End-of-life care · family presence · Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

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Highly citedNo

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