Once more today I have been told someone has passed away. It seems nobody dies now. Does it seem easier to say? Don’t people like the word died? It is used more and more. Am I the only one who would prefer to hear that someone has died? I realise I may be in a minority here.
I don’t like to think I was being tetchy TinSoldier I was merely expressing my personal opinion to which I am entitled as in the GN guidelines. I wasn’t being personal or rude to anyone. And as for tedious regularity…..
Some random man who thought he was being witty said that to me after I had lost my husband at a young age. That was careless of you. It's become a tasteless trope used by men who think they are funny. He felt the length of my tongue.
I don't use the term passed away or passed if I'm the one reporting the death, but it doesn't bother me when others do. I had a call from a friend just a few days ago to say her husband had 'passed away' the previous day. Those are the words she chose, but when I passed on the sad news to another mutual friend (by the widow's request) I simply said he had died.
A lady was talking to my 5 year old granddaughter and asked her what her Daddy did, my granddaughter replied " oh my Daddy is dead" the poor woman didn't know what to say or do. The bald statement can be a bit shocking. I prefer to say that someone has died rather than use a euphemism but I think sometimes it's just too hard for a grieving person to say.
When the time comes, I will have stopped breathing and my vital organs will cease to work and I will be deed (dead), ceased to be. How that information is passed on is up those who are left. I would hate for some thought police to think less of them for saying passed away etc . Some poster said they will come back and haunt them for not saying dead.
Well in that case I will be haunting a few folk that squirm and raise their eyebrows at my bereaved family or friend who thinks fit to use passed away to convey that I have ceased to be. 👻
Unfortunately I’ve got an address book similar to one that was mentioned here. Five friends have died in the last twelve months, and now there are really only two left.
I don’t understand why someone choosing to say’ passed’ would drive anyone nuts .
Absolutely agree with you. Each to their own I say. If someone tells me that someone has passed away, then I would use that phrase in any conversations with them. Ditto if they say died. Personally I prefer 'died', but whatever someone chooses is up to them. There are more serious things driving me nuts!
A friend asked after her neighbours father who was in a nursing home. The neighbour said he’d gone to a better place. My friend said great I hope he settles in quickly. The neighbour looked horrified. It took a few seconds for her to realise. On this basis I would second the bluntness of died.
My husband died; he is dead. I don't need a euphemism. I'm not fond of "loved ones" either. Have we always used that when referring to family members/friends etc?
It's a euphemism. Personally I prefer plain direct speech and would say died.
It doesn't drive me nuts, but an anonymous internet forum is exactly the place to express such a sentiment. There is little risk of upsetting a bereaved person. I doubt Abitbarmy or anyone else would say that to someone's face.
People use whichever term they feel comfortable with , we know what is meant however it is said. Passed away or died either is appropriate. Each to their own .
Looking at Bereavement Notices in my local paper no one in my area die, they all Pass Away. I think Funeral Directors post these by default, and if you want to put “died” you have to change it.
I think we have become squeamish about death and prefer to use euphemisms, not wanting to confront the reality of it.
However I suppose if you have a strong faith your loved one may have “passed” to a better place. Who knows?
When I worked in the hospice, it was the process of DYING which was talked about. It's a fact. That's what happens. I do think that it's still such a taboo subject for many, or something which people aren't comfortable with talking about openly. Which is why some use "passed away" because it's just easier to deal with. Death, dying and dead are such "final" words. But ultimately it happens to us all and using words like dead or dying should be used in conversation. In a hospice situation it's particularly important because some people NEED to hear this words to allow the explanation of the dying process to sink in.
Some random man who thought he was being witty said that to me after I had lost my husband at a young age. That was careless of you. It's become a tasteless trope used by men who think they are funny. He felt the length of my tongue.