Objective:

To analyse the self-perceptions of older people in relation to death and to relate them to socioeconomic conditions, ways of living together, the residential environment and the sociodemographic profile of such people.

Methodology:

A total of 213 elderly were interviewed in two locations in Galicia (Spain). A principal component analysis was carried out to identify the underlying factors in the items related to self-perceptions about death and a hierarchical cluster analysis to segment the elderly into groups related to these perceptions.

Results:

Elderly more worried and with greater anxiety about death, were generally women with an above average age, with a worse economic status, less training and a less dense network of family relationships.

Conclusions:

Our study highlights the importance of socioeconomic conditions in the different perceptions about death and offers guidelines for the implementation of social policies that benefit the living conditions of elderly.

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