This is how crises impact what we think is important in life

• A Michigan State University study analysed 38 million obituaries dating back to 1994 to understand how major crises influence the traits people associate with a life well lived.
• The research revealed that during the Covid pandemic, references to benevolence and caring for others dropped, while mentions of tradition, often linked to religion, rose.
• Following the 9/11 attacks, obituaries for victims in New York contained more references to benevolence, while values tied to security decreased.
• After the 2008 financial crisis, obituaries saw a drop in mentions of achievement.
• Overall, tradition was the most frequently praised value, appearing in 80 per cent of obituaries, closely followed by benevolence at 76 per cent, with differences also noted across age and gender.

IN FULL

Researchers looked at 38 million obituaries. What they discovered about life was surprising