Whether or not we're ready to think about it, most of us will eventually have to decide how we want to die. That's why it's so important to talk about it—even if it's just in the abstract, like "I want punk music blasting when I'm close to death." These ideas can be useful if we can't speak for ourselves on our last day: They can give doctors guidance on what to do or not do. They can help loved ones know what to expect, and they can even make the choice for us if we can't.
So, what's the most painful way to die? It may be radiation sickness, which is a type of cancer that makes your body burn up. It also can be a slow, drawn-out death: As you burn, your cells and nerves are burned up, which is intensely painful. Then, the toxins produced in the fire cause you to break down and pass away.
Or, it might be getting caught in a lava flow, which can reach temperatures of 1,830 degrees Fahrenheit, reports IFLScience. That would be a slow death, but it's also agonizing because it takes time for the heat to cook your skin and slam you into instant rigor mortis. And then, your brain would boil inside your skull, which is not only excruciatingly painful but could be life-ending.