I remember my Mother telling me about death; she said we live for a number of years, grow older and then when the time is right we die. However, she gave me to believe that some people think we continue living in another place but that no one knew for sure because no one had come back to tell us about it. I remember finding this information quite strange, as if it was not about me at all. All I could see was the present stretching out forever and to think of it ending was a concept I could not get as a child. I would have been between 5 and 8 years old when I was told. I didn't think on it too much as the present was what involved me. When I was older and yet still a child my Mother explained the concept of reincarnation to me and I pondered on that for a while and found it very satisfying; I wondered whether it explained people's lazyness in trying to improve this world; 'Ah well, we can work at it next time!'

Now I am older I think on it a little more but only in the context of losing contact with my Beloved husband; I would not like to be separated from him by death however I will probably have no choice. It seems the more one has the more one wants to keep it.

Currently I look on death as a door to another adventure, not knowing whether I will have the awareness to experience it or not.

It is good to talk to your children about these great things; you will know when they are ready.

Early in marriage, we had a son, who died. The grief stayed with his mother for the remaining 17 years of the marriage. We never progressed beyond it. For reasons of private supposition, the root cause shall remain un-named. Suffice it to say, the death of an infant caused the death of a union-or perhaps a failure to consummate; more correct, if such is possible. We never addressed the issue as a couple, had three more children-one of which, second son, died recently at 28. The death issue was never discussed, even when Grandmother came to stay and die in our home. 
As these remembrances arise, the full weight of silence is awakened. In what context to discuss with children the inevitability of death? My own mother slipping away by degrees, 87 years and losing mental function rapidly. She and I have discussed her departure, not as a death, but more as a relocation. We are as close as two can be, with many differences but I wonder if those imagined differences are merely assumed on my part ; she hasn't told me everything but maybe illusion serves a sacred purpose between me and those I'm closest too. 
No conclusion, just thoughts passing.

Hi Alice and William,
I think we have to get used to the thought of death as an essential component of life. Most of the time, we avoid thinking about it, by superstition, or because it scares us. Why suffer in advance of something about which we know nothing?
Epicurus wrote: "So, the evil that most frightens, the death, is nothing to us, since when we exist death is not there and when death is there we do not exist."
Stoicism, Epicureanism, Buddhism can help us to approach more serenely the path of death.
I saw the fear of death in the eyes of my mother, I saw her crying like a child. I hope that when my turn comes, I shall show to my children a calm face, without fear, so that they themselves are not tortured and they keep a nice memory of me.
When I was younger, and very romantic, I could not imagine that the woman I loved could die before me. Time has made me wiser ...or more fatalistic : we have to accept what we can not control. And then the death of a loved one is a physical separation, but he remains intact in our heart and our soul.

Why should I be out of your mind
Just because I'm out of your sight?
I await you. I'm not far
Just on the other side of the road
You see, all is well

(Charles Peguy)

Something after death? Why not, there are so many mysteries in the Universe (as long as nobody tells me about God!)
There is is something unbearable, that leaves us inconsolable, it's the death of a child. It is the supreme injustice. Words fail me, William, I do not know what to say...