Over the past week, celebrity deaths seem to have dominated headlines.
From Brigitte Bardot to Chris Rea, it may feel like every second notification that pops up on your phone right now brings yet another morbid announcement.
But this isn’t a new phenomenon for 2025, nor is it restricted to famous names; death rates spike across the board around this time of year.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), fatalities peak in January and December, with these two months accounting for almost 20% of the annual total.
The most recent figures available show that 1,269 people died each day in September 2016 on average, compared to 1,487 and 1,588 in December and January respectively. All in, there were over 10,000 fewer deaths in September than either of these months.
Why do death rates rise around Christmas and New Year?
While part of the increase in ‘excess mortality’ during winter may be down to colder weather, the ONS claims this is a seasonal issue affecting ‘mainly elderly people and those who already have serious health problems.’
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, is among the many professionals who witness an ‘observable increase in deaths’ around Christmas and New Year.
Typically, this is due to cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness such as pneumonia and flu, complications of chronic conditions like COPD and heart failure, and infections.
Beyond specific causes of death, though, Dr Wylie tells Metro it’s often a case of ‘several risk factors coinciding at once’, adding: ‘Christmas can be a time of joy, but it also highlights existing vulnerabilities, both medical and social, which can sadly contribute to poorer outcomes for some patients.’
Healthcare access
One big issue at play here is a shift in healthcare access and uptake during the festive period.
‘Healthcare services are under increased pressure, with reduced access to routine GP appointments and some community services scaled back, which can delay assessment and treatment,’ says Dr Wylie.
‘Patients themselves may also be more reluctant to seek medical help over the festive period, not wanting to “make a fuss” or disrupt family plans.’
Average deaths in England by month from 2014 to 2016
Age UK assessed the most recent ONS release on registered deaths in England to find average monthly numbers:
- January – 153,933
- February – 132,959
- March – 138,955
- April – 127,967
- May – 124,099
- June – 116,682
- July – 119,222
- August – 118,910
- September – 81,293
- October – 129,066
- November – 129,541
- December – 150,670
Certain demographics are particularly vulnerable without support; especially older adults, those living alone or with multiple long-term conditions.
‘Frail patients can deteriorate quickly if they develop an infection, become dehydrated, or experience a fall,’ Dr Wylie adds.
Festive excess
Changes to our eating, drinking and sleeping habits are another reason we see increased fatalities around Christmas and New Year.
Dr Wylie notes: ‘Dietary excess, increased alcohol consumption, disrupted sleep and missed medications, can all exacerbate underlying health conditions, particularly in those with heart disease or diabetes.’
According to one study, heart attacks peak around Christmas Eve, which researchers argue is likely due to people engaging in ‘potentially stressful social interactions and provocative behaviours they would not normally expose themselves to.’
As a result, ‘twixmas’ (between December 26 and January 1) is often a busy time in hospitals and doctors’ surgeries, with healthcare workers tackling ‘a surge of acute presentations that may have been brewing for some time’ and ‘admissions related to falls, alcohol-related harm, and exacerbations of chronic disease.’
Winter weather
Even when people avoid overindulging, certain illnesses – which can prove fatal when someone is in poor health – are more common in winter.
‘Cold weather places additional strain on the body, increasing blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks and strokes, while respiratory viruses circulate more readily when people spend more time indoors,’ Dr Wylie says.
People with chronic respiratory disease are at greatest risk when it comes to winter viruses, while those with cardiovascular disease are likely to be worst affected by a drop in temperature.
Mental ill health
While (contrary to popular belief) December has the lowest reported suicide rate of any month, numbers often surge after Christmas, which has been blamed on a ‘rebound effect’ as the festive season ends.
Especially for people experiencing social isolation, homelessness, or significant mental health difficulties, Dr Wylie highlights that ‘Christmas can intensify feelings of loneliness, depression and distress.’
And as New Year approaches, researchers argue many deal with ‘unmet expectations’ of social connection and support during the holidays, leading to ‘frustration and disappointment which may trigger suicidal reactions’.
Need support?
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS, the Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINE247 is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. to get in touch, call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: [email protected].
The ‘holding on’ phenomenon
‘Many clinicians notice that patients – particularly those with a terminal illness – sometimes “hold on” until after Christmas, seemingly determined to reach the milestone of the festive period with their family,’ says Dr Wylie.
In this year’s Gone Fishing Christmas special, Bob Mortimer shared a similar story about his beloved late father-in-law who passed awayfollowing a long battle with serious illness — just moments after the family told him they loved him on a visit to the hospital on Christmas Day 2024.
Although there’s no scientific evidence that people can time their death, many healthcare professionals tell of people who defied the odds to survive a major holiday or significant event, only to die immediately thereafter.
On a Reddit thread discussing this phenomenon, hospice nurse Infactinfarctinfart wrote: ‘I’ve seen patients wait for weddings, births, visitors etc, and I’ve discussed it with hospice providers who have witnessed the same thing.
‘One provider told me that they think it has to do with the autonomic nervous system: their adrenaline is keeping them going. Once the anticipation is over, their body can relax and let go.
‘This is why it’s important for loved ones to give the dying person “permission” to pass. They’re too scared to let go or too scared to leave loved ones who still “need” them.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
