date of death

USAGE SUMMARY

"date of death" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when discussing someone's passing or when filling out official documents related to a death. Example: "The deceased's date of death was recorded as October 12, 2020 on the official death certificate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Date of death Monday, Sept. 3).

The New Yorker

No exact date of death was given.

The New York Times

Date of death, Sunday, Jan . 22 , 1967

The New Yorker

An exact date of death could not be pinpointed.

The New York Times

Jewish tradition mandates that the date of death should be commemorated instead of mourned.

The New York Times

The original gave John Postgate's date of death as 24 October 2014.

The Guardian

But the official date of death was May, 1999, a year later than Adrian had indicated.

The New Yorker

A metal plate listing the birth date and date of death was attached to each.

The New York Times

The original had given the date of death as 16 November 2012.

The Guardian - Arts

It listed his date of death — 4 August 2009 — and his status of "never married".

The Guardian

But the message is glaring: "Date of death: 2/7/2006".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or medical documents, always use a standardized format for the "date of death" (YYYY-MM-DD) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using ambiguous date formats. Always specify the full year (e.g., 2025 instead of '25') to prevent misinterpretations of the "date of death".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "date of death" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and specify the calendar date on which a person's death occurred. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

55%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "date of death" is a common noun phrase used to denote the day someone died. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, especially in news, science, and wiki sources. While appearing in both formal and neutral registers, it's crucial to maintain accuracy, particularly in official and legal contexts. Alternatives like "day of passing" or "time of demise" exist, but the straightforwardness of "date of death" makes it a standard choice. Remember to use consistent and unambiguous date formats to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day of death

Synonymous, focusing on the specific calendar day of passing.

time of death

Focuses on the specific moment when life ceased.

date of mortality

Employs a formal and statistical term for the occurrence of death.

day of passing

Replaces "death" with a gentler term, focusing on the event of passing away.

time of demise

Uses more formal language for "death", indicating a specific point in time.

day of decease

Substitutes "death" with a more archaic and formal equivalent.

date of expiration

Replaces "death" with a term often used in formal or legal contexts.

moment of expiration

Emphasizes the finality of life's end in a somewhat clinical tone.

day of bereavement

Focuses on the day when grief and loss are experienced due to a death.

day of final departure

Uses a more poetic and euphemistic term for death, emphasizing the leaving of life.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "date of death" in a sentence?

The phrase "date of death" is typically used to indicate when someone passed away. For example, "The deceased's "date of death" was January 1, 2025."

What other phrases can I use instead of "date of death"?

You can use alternatives such as "day of passing", "time of demise", or "date of mortality", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it necessary to include the "date of death" in official documents?

Yes, the "date of death" is a critical piece of information required on official documents such as death certificates, estate planning documents, and insurance claims.

Where can I find reliable sources for verifying a "date of death"?

Reliable sources include official death certificates, obituaries published in reputable newspapers, government records, and genealogical databases.