legal definitions of death

Legal definitions of death establish when a person is considered biologically and legally dead, enabling lawful procedures like organ donation or cessation of medical treatment. The two main criteria are: (1) **Cardiopulmonary death**, where the heart and lungs have irreversibly stopped functioning; and (2) **Brain death**, where all brain activity, including the brainstem, has irreversibly ceased. Brain death is recognized as legal death even if the heart continues to beat with support. These definitions ensure consistent decision-making regarding end-of-life issues, respecting both medical assessments and legal standards.