The death rate in the UK was 1016.2 per 100,000 population in 2020 which as expected was up on 2019 which was 893.1.
However in 2003 it was 1019.9. Yes the death rate was higher in 2003 compared with 2020.
2002 was also higher than 2020, as was 2001.
In fact EVERY year between 2003 and 1838 had a higher death rate than 2020.
I do not remember any panic / hysteria over the death rate in the 1990s, 1980s, 1970s and 1960s.
So looking at the data over say the past 50 years 2020 would come in the top half of LOW death years.
Source ONS: