The Worth of Death

Are some deaths worth more than others? While learning about memorials in class this week, I was met with this internal question. Often times in war memorials, all the names of the dead are listed one after another with no differentiation or cause of death written. Postcards from the Trenches even stated that "the dead and the missing are equally represented as crucial to the war effort" (Booth 35). However, as I read this, it didn't seem right. Sure all death is sad, but shouldn't someone who died jumping on a grenade for their team be honored more than one who died from a simple allergy. This brought about a crucial question, can you put a measure or worth on death? There are many varying standpoints on this issue. In the eyes of the victim's friends and family, their death is just as important as anyone else. Yet, from the perspective of the greater good, a person who died to save many others will be seen as better. Or is it the mere idea that these men and women went away to war for their country constitute a sense of greater good. This would align with other non-war memorials because they often only contain the names of people who died in similar circumstances such as the Holocaust or the Twin Towers. It could also be seen as offensive to have the cause of death next to a person's name. Any family of their visiting the site would not want to be reminded of their last moments, but rather focus on the life that they lived.