why do we say 'passed'?

We don't say passed we say died/dead.

I've told my family I am going to die not pass!

I use passed. I always thought it was an Americanism for dying. I think it sounds kinder.

I always use died.

I used died/dead too. Passed doesn’t seem to be the right word for something so final.

I think it comes from 'passed over' or 'passed away,. I dislike those euphemisms, but like Doodledog, I tend to take my lead from the person I am talking to.
Recently I have become uncomfortable with this - I don't want to upset someone who dislikes 'died' but as 'passed' becomes more and more the norm, I feel that I am being forced into saying it.
So I have just decided that i will use the word 'died' unless I am given a strong indicator that it would be unacceptable. I'm not saying I'm right, I'll just see how it goes. I have written in my 'funeral notes' that died is the term to be used!

Actually I don’t, I say a person has died. We’re you using the royal we OP?

I can understand saying 'passed away' but never 'passed'

Even the BBC routinely use it now. I think it’s a silly euphemism.

I’m with Marmight. I never say anything but “died”. I object to the use of “losing” someone, too. I have never lost anybody! I’m not that careless.

I always use ‘died’. My DH had a heart attack. He died. I really don’t understand ‘passed’ ‘passed away’ ‘passed on’. Passed where? I find it slightly twee. A person dies. End of. But, each to her/his/their own. Whatever makes one feel comfortable….

I always say a person has died.
I have never understood the reasons for saying a person has passed away.

BlueBelle

Because people want to believe they are passing from one life to another
I use the word died

Yes, it's a bit like saying someone is 'with God'.

I prefer 'dead', but would follow the lead of a bereaved person if they were talking about it.

Because people want to believe they are passing from one life to another
I use the word died

When people are grieving they can say whatever they feel comfortable with, who is to say what the right word is?

To try to soften the blow of death I think. As if anything could.