cause of death on certificate

[cnerys]

Hi,
I have just received the death certificate of my 3x great grandfather. His cause of death has been noted as 'Decay of nature' on the certificate. I hope it isn't anything sinister but does anyone have a clue if it just means natural causes or what?? He died in 1867 aged 80 years old. I've never come across this wording before.

Kind regards
Nerys

[acorngen]

Well I cannot say with 100% accuracy but I believe decay of nature just means natural causes.

Rob

[oldtimer]

I have a couple of death certificates where the (very old) person has died of natural decay

I think it was used when an elderly person died, and no obvious cause of death could be found, so it was assumed they had died because their body had just given up.

[soulsister]

I have a cert with the same cause on too. The lady on it was in her 90's and I took as natural causes due to her old age!

Emma

[cnerys]

Thank you for putting my mind to rest, I had a feeling it would be natural causes, but I just had an image in my head of him not being found for weeks after death.

Best wishes
Nerys

[Eldon]

I have a document that lists 1000 causes of death and old medical terms.

Confirming that Natural Decay means Old Age.

[Philezra]

My ancestor was only 60.......

[Ayashi]

I've got Natural Decay as well, I think. I've also got a somewhat more poetic "fullness of the life's cycle" and another one for a 92 year old man that actually says "probably old age"!