vital

Relating to or characteristic of life.

vital energies; vital functions; vital actions

But open converse is there none, ⁠So much the vital spirits sink ⁠To see the vacant chair, and think, ‘How good! how kind! and he is gone.’

Necessary to the continuation of life; being the seat of life; being that on which life depends.

The brain is a vital organ.

And doen the heavens afford him vitall food?

Invigorating or life-giving.

Necessary to continued existence.

The transition to farming was vital for the creation of civilisation.

Relating to the recording of life events.

Birth, marriage and death certificates are vital records.

A surname.