We should allow the Queen some dignity in death

The article in last week’s Mail on Sunday on whether it’s possible that the Queen simply died of old age stated that only two per cent of death certificates record this as the sole cause.

I don’t believe this statistic.

Both my mother and my husband’s mother died, like the Queen, aged 96. They too died of old age, and nothing else was written on their death certificates.

Why can’t people just accept that sometimes that’s exactly what you die of?

Sandra Ball, Truro, Cornwall

It seems to me that the monarchy knew that Her Majesty’s death certificate would be a matter of public interest, so putting ‘old age’ as the cause discreetly communicates to the public that it’s none of their business.

The Queen’s life was pretty exceptional, and the family deserve to mourn her quietly. Frankie O’Gallagher,

Bristol

The Queen was 96. We don’t want or need more details. She deserves dignity in death after such a public life. People need to leave it and have some respect. She gave more than enough.

Mary Sullivan, Brighton and Hove

I too raised an eyebrow as to the cause of death of Her Majesty.

My 95-year-old mother-in-law died in April 2020, during the first coronavirus lockdown.

After she died, a GP telephoned to ask me what should be put on the death certificate. When I said ‘old age’, I was told that at least two causes were needed.

This does not seem to be the case if you are Royal.

Jeannette Meyers, Ashford

Having worked in a bank for 42 years, I’ve seen a lot of death certificates of customers who have passed away.

The wording ‘frailty of old age’ is quoted as the sole cause of death on many occasions.

W. Patterson, Bradford

I remember a doctor telling my husband when his mother was in hospital that sometimes it’s really hard to pinpoint exactly what the problem is in older people.

When you are in your 20s, it’s easy to say what’s wrong because it’s usually one thing that is easily discernible.

However, when you’re older, it could be a combination of factors all acting together to create issues, hence the diagnosis of ‘old age’.

T. Freeman, Nottingham

If the Queen did have other underlying health issues, do the public really need to know? It won’t bring her back.

My father’s death certificate gave ‘old age’ as the cause. In fact, he died from advanced dementia, but it felt more respectful to omit that from the death certificate.

Charles Powell, Kent

‘Old age’ isn’t a medical diagnosis appropriate for a death certificate. You can die from failing old organs, or something related to your age, but dying solely from old age just isn’t possible.

Max Roberts, Worcester