Death in office

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A death in office is the death of a person who was incumbent of an office-position until the time of death. Such deaths have been usually due to natural causes, but they are also caused by accidents, suicides, disease and assassinations.

The death of most monarchs and popes have been deaths in office, since they have usually held their papacy/reign for the rest of their lives. As most other office positions require that the incumbent be constantly competent in performing the associated duties, other deaths in office are usually premature deaths.