Euphemisms for "died" in obituaries

I actually work in Obituaries for Hearst newspapers, and I've heard some doozies. I guess it depends on how religious the deceased was.

"Will now face judgement" is an underrated one.

Especially when they don’t spell judgment correctly.

"Became republican"

DIED TO ME!

“completely her earthly journey”

Bought the farm

Kicked the bucket

Is now worm food.

It’s “The American Way of Death” ( yeah, I’ve been reading/watching too much of the Mitfords…)

"(NAME) is now rotting in hell" would be accurate for some.

Keeled over

How about "Welcomed home by Satan"?

Free at last!

Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

R13, that one was appropriate for Anita Bryant

Overall "passed away" or "passed" seems to have replaced "died."

I hate it, but I'm in the minority, so, whatever. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[quote] I hate it, but I'm in the minority, so, whatever. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

What kind of attitude is that for Datalounge?

I actually kind of like that commercial for "final expenses insurance" where the old lady assures her daughter that she's "at peace with my home-going when my time is up". Not a phrase I'd ever use, but somehow appropriate for her. My own preference is to just say "died", because I dislike the whole idea of euphemisms unless they're used artistically, which would be out of place in an obit.

"Joined the ancestors"

"Joined the chorus trimphant"

"Received their heavenly promotion"

"Took a seat at the great lanai in the sky."

Croaked!

"Gained their heavenly caftan and earrings "

[quote]I actually work in Obituaries for Hearst newspapers, and I've heard some doozies. I guess it depends on how religious the deceased was.

Not just religious people.

Many on the far-left now hate using terms like "kill/murder" or "suicide" and prefer to say "He was unalived" or "he unalived himself."

Just this week on DL, there was a thread about some teenager who committed suicide because of ChatGPT and the thread title was phrased as "he passed himself away."

R24, those are the worst kind of euphemisms, the kind that murder the poor beleaguered English language.

The language that is more dominant than any in recorded human history. That one?

I make it a point to use "died" in conversation. I HATE "passed away"! To where? This isn't Tolkien; Aunt Freida didn't pass into the West.

I get your point Sylvia but I'm 66 and have been told since childhood to say passed away. It's easier than saying died but feels dishonest somehow.

When I called my aunt, my mother's sister, to let her know my my mother died, she was expecting the the call. She had seen caller ID and said, "She's dead, isn't she. Don't say passed away. She's dead." Gotta love her

My father cringed when I said "died" rather than "passed away" about any family member--he thought it was so ungenteel.

I have a strong preference for die. It's direct, concise, and leaves no room for grammatical doubt.

R24, "unalived" was not created by "the far left" at all

I have never heard any of these terms used by the so-called left. I call bs

I’m right here!

Popped his clogs.

I agree, Sylvia. I don't get it.

"Passed" is at least as common as "passed away" these days. I associate it with the Christian crowd.

Also, terms like "unalived" were not created by the "far left." People started using them to get around algorithmic filters that censored words like "died" so as not to promote violence. I think some teens now use those words because they think they're cool or something.

I will never get how angry some people on DL get when people say "passed away."

People use euphemisms all the time for a variety of subjects, and even though I prefer more direct speech and would definitely roll my eyes at something florid and churchy like "he met his Heavenly Father," this is not a hill I'm willing to, um, pass away on.

It's a show of faith to use the words "passed on" - ON being key. It's your consciousness which passes on. No. No orb or bubble is going to burst through your chest to float away skyward. Usually, there's a negative connotation while saying to another "It's all in your mind," but not in this case.

Passed is some Protestant bullshit word that has morphed into a default term.

Christ died!

No R38

Yes, R40

"Croaked" is my go to. I think it's an Irish thing.

[quote]Many on the far-left now hate using terms like "kill/murder" or "suicide" and prefer to say "He was unalived" or "he unalived himself."

I have a retired friend who likes to make Tic Toc videos, mostly in the horror genre.

He said they are not allowed to use "killed" or "murdered" or even "dead." He said they must say "unalive" or "was unalived."

R42 no—that would be craiced.

R17, I'm with you. "Passed away" is better than just "passed." "Passed" what? Gas? Go and headed straight to jail?

Moved on.

R43 Tik tok!

So it’s a Chinese communist plot to ruin the English language by forcing the use euphemisms that the right will then blame the left for?

That’s diabolical! Why didn’t I think of that.

Croaked

R48 being the dog that finally caught the fender…

so many!

[quote] I don't know why it bothers me, but it does.

That is your problem, OP. The language other people are comfortable using regarding death in their own lives is none of your business or concern.

Mind your own business.

Someone asked recently how my father was. My reply 'Who knows he's dead' Their face was priceless. (probably thought I was a heartless bastard) Dead is dead to me.

taking a Dirt Nap

No one seems to find "Died of old age" and "died peacefully at home" too abrupt. I have seen "received her wings" and "began her afterlife" though.

[quote] Someone asked recently how my father was. My reply 'Who knows he's dead' Their face was priceless. (probably thought I was a heartless bastard) Dead is dead to me.

IT'S AN HONEST MISTAKE!!

I'm OK with most euphemisms, but I am completely fed up with the perpetuation of "slept with" for "had sex with." It's not 1950 anymore, people.

My mom was an RN and is still a good Christian woman, but she can't stand passed/passed away. "They died. They're dead."

R47 It's because advertisers won't agree to have their ads distributed blindly across random content without filters like that.

Pushing Up Daisies

He blew his last load

Est mort.

In Obit header, New York Times uses "Died" and "Dies."

"Passed to Glory" .... "Was welcomed into the arms of the Lord>"

[quote]I actually work in Obituaries for Hearst newspapers

I condole you. Not about obituaries but Hearst.

R52 I had a boss who I ran into years later at an industry event - he was a complete dick.

He opened with "How's your mother?"

Me: "Still dead".

Former boss - "How awful - I'm so sorry!".

Me: "You sent flowers, or your EA did".

The conversation ran out of juice at that point.

When Dan Blocker of BONANZA died unexpectedly one headline read HOSS CROAKED!

I thought that was a bit much.

People on reddit will use the phrase "crossed the rainbow bridge" to describe the death of a pet. Makes me want to vomit.

"Gained his/her wings"

Here's how I have always understood it -

Most religions - but not all - believe in an 'afterlife'. So people of those religions believe the person has 'passed away into the afterlife'. 'Passed' and 'Passed Away' are shorter versions of that sentiment (although more and more I have seen obits say 'passed from this life into the afterlife'). For those with no belief in an after-life (religion or personal beliefs) the word 'died' is commonly used.

Living things which you don't see as having an afterlife are considered to have died, since there is no 'passing'. For example, one would say 'My rose bush died last summer', not 'my rose bush passed away last summer'.

Just what I remember being taught in Sunday school when I was a kid.

No longer shopping at the Piggly Wiggly.

And you’d be mistaken —Catholics say he’s dying, he died, he’s dead.

A 22 year old kid I know goes with the “passed away” shit. He once told me the water bugs in the bathroom passed away. Then I told him, “yeah, they DIED after I smashed their heads off and the guts went flying.” Jesus H Christ, are youngsters so afraid to say die or died that they apply passed away to insects? Seems so.

[quote] People on reddit will use the phrase "crossed the rainbow bridge" to describe the death of a pet. Makes me want to vomit.

Do you have a cat? I really hope you do. Because when you die alone - and you indeed will die alone - it will eat your face off.

And you’ll end up a rainbow turd. 🌈 💩

I like "sprung from his/her mortal coil"

Millennial here and have always heard people say passed, died, and very rarely "moved on". Never thought I should be outraged about people choosing to say "passed away". A new thing to be upset about every day, I guess...

“Passed away” has too many syllables, “died” is better. The former gives the impression that the person speaking is such a snowflake they just CANT SAY died, they can’t handle it.

Sionara

Wrong, dear. Meooshe Omeckee.

Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;

"Sucking the big dick in the sky."

My experience has been that the people who get most upset on being called on using "passed" or one of the other euphemisms cannot deal with the fact of death. It has nothing to do with religion and more to do with squeamishness about the inescapable fact of dying, for all of us.

[quote]People on reddit will use the phrase "crossed the rainbow bridge" to describe the death of a pet. Makes me want to vomit.

On LPSG, on the Japanese gay porn thread, they use that to note when a "straight" performer decides to do gay porn.

Heaven must have needed another angel.

She's really most sincerely dead.

Knows the secret

"He's with the C.H.U.D.s now."

[quote] “Passed away” has too many syllables, “died” is better.

They’ll definitely use the former when referring to you. They’ll want to savor the moment with as many syllables as possible.

^ Snowflake, and proud of it. I feel sorry for you, dear.

[quote] Jesus H Christ, are youngsters so afraid to say die or died that they apply passed away to insects? Seems so.

It's not a young thing,g ramps. It's actually more of an old (and bourgie) thing.

R89 = R87

I am not r87.

I don't mind euphemisms in paid obituaries; the customer can say what they want. What drives me insane is the use of "passed" etc. in freaking news stories. You're a reporter, don't be such a pussy.

Don’t feel sorry for me, R88. No one’s going to care when you “die.” No one even cares that you’re currently alive. That’s what happens when you’ve lived a useless, meaningless life of garbage and hate like you have. It won’t even be a relief. It’ll be like a worthless piece of junk mail that gets tossed in the shredder without a thought, much like your nonexistent legacy.

And the “dear” makes you sound like a sad, effeminate, elderly queen who dances around in a Chianti-stained kimono listening to show tunes on his Victrola while crying as mascara runs down your pasty, heavily lined face.

I guess the only question when you “die” will be whether your collections of tarnished candelabras and unicorn figurines go to Goodwill or the dumpster. It certainly won’t be to family or friends since you have neither.

Now be sure to put some extra Heinz 57 on your face for the cats before you “croak.” It’ll be the most useful accomplishment you achieved before you “died.”

😘

"Heavily fucking delayed" Karl, from Sucession.

No longer walks amongst the living.

[quote] Many on the far-left now hate using terms like "kill/murder" or "suicide" and prefer to say "He was unalived" or "he unalived himself."

You have a vivid imagination.

Bit the big one.

Use whatever phrase you want. Let people be who they are. I don't give a fuck how anyone refers to death. Cunts!

[quote]No longer shopping at the Piggly Wiggly.

I think "He's shopping at the Piggly Wiggly now" would be a more accurate way to say someone died.

[quote] And you’d be mistaken —Catholics say he’s dying, he died, he’s dead.

Total bullshit. I was raised Catholic. My father was a Deacon and my mother was Order of Service. They all said passed or passed away. Or in a better place.

Bit the dust.

For country folk "gone home to meet their Heavenly Father" is a doozy.

Witnessed Jehovah

Or with The Holy Spirit.

He’s fine! He sends his love!

Sleeps with the fishes.

[quote]He’s fine! He sends his love!

DAMMIT! Should've scrolled quicker.

"Got what he/she (or he-she if applicable) deserved" is standard in my family.

I've had two cats DIE, r73. I respected the cats and the concept of death too much to use such childish language. I loved them and now they are dead.

R93 = new to Datalounge

Thank you for being a Frau, R93.

R100 has very odd parents —your mother was a missalette?

Please show us where in a Catholic funeral we use passed away and not died or dead?

Did Jesus rise from the passed?

Jesus didn't pass.

[quote] I've had two cats DIE, [R73]. I respected the cats and the concept of death too much to use such childish language.

You tempered your choice of vocabulary regarding death around your dead cats because you thought the dead cats would find it childish?

Exactly how alone are you?

Why bother with the willfully obtuse

There's some Fat Helen Sharp energy coming from someone in this thread.

I would find it disrespectful to the memory of the cats if I talked about their death in such a childish way, r115. Is it really that hard to understand?

You seem to be under the impression that you're funny or clever and I want to make it clear that you're neither of those things. It's fine to be a cunt but you need to be funny about it.

“Snuck out the back door.”

As someone with two cats whom I adore, I still think R118 is giving Helen Eating Frosting Out of the Can energy.

I understand that times have changed and manners and decorum evolve. So what they thought and did in the past doesn't worry or surprise me. But these days like you, I would say someone has "died". But I can also see myself occasionally saying "passed away" only because my Mom and Dad said that so maybe it stuck with me. It's such a painful time, I guess whatever works for you, works for me.

“He’s passed away…. HE’S DEAD…. DADDDDDD…..He’s dine he sends his love……I AM NOT DOING THAT AGAIN YOU CAN’T MAKE ME”

Fine* not dine lol

was consumed in a grease fire changing from a present tense to a past participle .

[quote] lol

Oh d- oh, fuck it.

The euphemisms R24 mentions have nothing to do with "the far left."

Christ, some of you really love your boogeymen.

"Unalived" etc. came about on web forums like Reddit that would censor or reject posts with the word "suicide." Most people using it online don't actually speak those words in real life, it's just a work around for ham-fisted auto-moderation on the big social media sites.

Everything is not a "far left" conspiracy. Some things can actually be understood within context if you aren't constantly creating new neural pathways from the latest Fox-News talking point.

Anything they don't understand and are too lazy to Google is a far left plot, R126.

[quote] I would find it disrespectful to the memory of the cats if I talked about their death in such a childish way, [R115]. Is it really that hard to understand?

Yes. For people with friends, family and a life outside of Turner Classic Movies it is very difficult to comprehend such creepy antisocial psychosis.

R100, Catholics are very diverse. So is the United States and its many regions. I was raised Catholic in a large extended family with many aunts, uncles and cousins, so lots of funerals over the years. Everyone says "died/dead." We're in the Northeast and that "passed away" stuff is only heard among Protestants here, mostly black church lady types, or extreme holy-rollers who cringe hearing someone say "heck" or "goshdarnit." It sounds very southern/midwestern to me.

I think the latest euphemism for "died" is "now sucking Satan's cock."

Did her mother suck cocks in he’ll? is a little less direct IMHO

I prefer "bought the pine condo"

Went heavenward to dine with Elvis

Slid into home

Sashayed away

I like “went to his great reward,” but only for cats.

It lends a bit of humor to a truly terrible situation (the loss of a pet.)

[quote]You tempered your choice of vocabulary regarding death around your dead cats because you thought the dead cats would find it childish?

To be fair, cats CAN be quite judgmental.

There’s a lot of fear in those here who object to the words die and death.

R99, it was an alt showbiz gossip thing.

[quote]No longer shopping at the Piggly Wiggly

And its short form: "No longer shopping the Pig."

And what about: "In the stereo cabinet" ?

EXACTLY, R92. Religion should not be on the news. Death, die and died should.

Black obits in the south have some of the strangest words ever.

I read this one recently.

"She completed her earthly journey and crossed over to the promise land on Mar. 4th where she now rests in the hands of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

They're also big on saying...

"Mrs Willis will be solemnized on Friday Sept. 23".

"Filled His Last Diaper"

[quote]Jesus didn't pass.

If he'd just gotten rid of the beard, he probably could have. I mean that caftan ensemble with the sandals was just faboo! What would his drag name have been?

“She won’t be making her special sauce any longer…”