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colleen colleen
wrote...
Valued Member
Posts: 17077
11 years ago
Why do we use terms such as "gone," "passed on," and "at peace" instead of "dead"?   
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9 Replies
Sunshine ☀ ☼
Replies
wrote...
11 years ago
Terms such as gone, passed on and at peace help put people at ease.  Dead is such a final statement.  Many people have the belief that we move on and that death is just a way of passage to the next phase of existence this is why we use the term "passed on".
 We use "at peace" if we know that someone had a difficult life or if they suffered because of illness.  It provides comfort to those who still live to know that they are not suffering any longer.
“Gone” is used because it indicates they will be seen again.  It is much easier to believe that our loved ones will be seen once more. 
wrote...
11 years ago
In keeping with pearl's post, another term used commonly for pets or animals we have loved is "at the rainbow bridge" or "over the rainbow bridge"  where it is believed that they go to wait for us to meet up with them again.  This is an even more concrete suggestion that we will be with them once again and that they are not gone forever.
wrote...
10 years ago
I prefer the term 'deceased.' It's respectful but realistic, imho
wrote...
9 years ago
These words are called Euphemisms...they are used to downplay something that may be unpleasant, without sounding so blunt.
wrote...
9 years ago
Check this list of articles out...

http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/74247552/death-by-euphemisms
wrote...
9 years ago
Using other terms in place of dead in my opinion just sound more respectful than flat out saying "dead"
wrote...
9 years ago
Because death sounds so final, and people do not like to accept that it is the end of life.  Therefore, they use terms such as gone as though they will be coming back at any time.
wrote...
9 years ago
you can always say dead, but it's more respectful to use these terms.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass....it's about learning yo dance in the rain[/size]
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bio_manbio_man
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
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Posts: 33224
8 years ago
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