passed away

"Passing" etc. all sound a bit uncertain, I suppose because of The Passing of Arthur by Tennyson, describing the trip to Avilion.

I hate the word "passed" too! "Passed away" is a euphemism we are used to, but "passed over" sounds like Madame Arcati!

I am amused however by Mma Ramotswe using the term "late" not as in "my late father" which we all say, but "her father who was late"!
Makes school register-taking sound a bit funereal

I say died, too. When my grandfather died we received a telegram from my granny saying he had passed over. I was only little and it had me flummoxed for ages.

baubles I also always use the word 'died'. I would feel uncomfortable saying 'passed away'.

I have to say I don't like either, I always use the word 'died'. As recently as yesterday when 5 year old GD asked me where my dad is, I told her that he died before she was born then spoke a little about him. She wasn't fazed.