http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12/20 ... ear-study/ According to the top graph in the story it seems that the general trend is for more people to die in winter. It makes sense in the natural world. I would imagine the stress of the holidays has a lot to do with why folks are passing away more during the holidays. Also for New Year's I would imagine it has to do with drinking and driving. Hope everyone stays safe for the holidays.
I remeber reading that old folks will themselves to live until they can see their family, then "give up."
My wife's grandmother, I think, did that last year. She was in poor shape for a long time. She got to see her family, and then passed the day after. So this year will be tough on the family as well, since that is so recent.