Death is, of course, a very sensitive topic, and if it makes you uncomfortable, feel free to skip this post. However, death is also an unavoidable part of life. It would be nearly impossible to avoid thinking or speaking about it completely, so today I’d like to give you some expressions that you can use to talk about this difficult topic.

The verb “to die”

The verb “to die” can be a tricky one to use, but remember that it is intransitive (it does not take an object) and it does not require a “be” verb to be used with it.

Ex. I died my goldfish. (INCORRECT)

Ex. My goldfish was died. (INCORRECT)

Ex. My goldfish died. (CORRECT)

Causes of death

We can often say that someone “died of (direct cause of death).”

• someone died of cancer
• someone died of tuberculosis
• someone died of natural causes
• someone died of old age
• someone died of a broken heart

This may also be used figuratively (not literally) in expressions such as “to die of embarrassment” (meaning to be completely humiliated) or “to die of thirst” (meaning to be very thirsty).

It is also possible to say that someone “died from (indirect cause of death)” (e.g. someone died from overeating, someone died from radiation poisoning, etc.) However, not everyone agrees on or knows about the difference between “to die of” (direct cause) and “to die from” (indirect cause), so you may hear/see them used interchangeably.

When speaking about the means of death, you can also say that someone “died by (means of death)” (e.g. someone died by suicide, someone died by hanging, someone died by electrocution, etc.). 

Some other specific ways to die:

• someone died in a (vehicle) accident/crash
• someone died (peacefully) in his/her sleep
• someone froze/choked/starved to death
• someone drowned (to die through submersion in and inhalation of water)

Euphemisms

Euphemisms are expressions that we often use in place of words that may be too direct, rude, or socially unacceptable in certain situations. The most well-known euphemism for “to die” is the phrasal verb “to pass away” (which sounds a lot more gentle). There are others, however, such as saying someone “is no longer with us” or simply “is gone.” You can also say that you “lost” someone who passed away. Finally, you may say that someone who passed away “is in a better place” or “is at rest” now.

Keep in mind, though, that some euphemisms are actually intended to have the opposite effect, which is to make light of something serious (joke or speak about it in a playful or irreverent way). We may say that someone “kicked the bucket” or “croaked” or that they “are six feet under” or “are pushing up daisies” (referring to burial in the earth). Keep in mind that these expressions would be extremely inappropriate in most situations! 

After a death

After-death traditions depend, of course, on one’s culture, religion, and even surrounding geography (in some places, it is simply impossible to bury a body), but here is some common vocabulary associated with after-death practices.

Following someone’s death, there may be a funeral, a ceremony honouring the deceased (dead person), which typically involves burial (burying the body) or cremation (burning the body). A dead person’s body may be refered to politely as their “remains” or more directly as a “corpse” (this word is inappropriate in most situations). Some other events include: wake, memorial service, celebration of life. 

During these events, friends and family members may mourn the deceased (express their sadness), express their condolences (express their sympathy), or remember the deceased and celebrate their life. Some events are quite somber/solemn (formal and serious), while others are joyous (full of happiness and joy) and lively (full of life and energy).

If someone’s remains are cremated (burned), their ashes may be kept in an urn (a container) or scattered in a place of special importance. If they are to be buried instead, their remains may be placed inside a coffin and lowered into a grave (a hole in the ground) in a cemetery/graveyard with a tombstone/gravestone/headstone placed above as a marker or even placed in a mausoleum (a kind of building for housing the deceased). 

Of course, there are many other traditions around the world, and new ones, such as memorial trees and memorial diamonds (created from one’s ashes), are constantly being developed as society changes. I think it’s best to stop here for now, though. Not many people like to think or talk about death, but when the moment comes to do so, I hope these expressions will help.

Zach