The dead are often just as living to us as the living are, only we cannot get them to believe it. They can come to us, but till we die we cannot go to them. To be dead is to be unable to understand that one is alive. 

I don’t believe in an afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear.

In dealing with the dead, if we treat them as if they were entirely dead, that would show a want of affection and should not be done; or, if we treat them as if they were entirely alive, that would show a want of wisdom and should not be done.

I doubt that we have any right to pity the dead for their own sakes.

You are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Every individual existence goes out in a lonely spasm of helpless agony.

To desire immortality for the individual is really the same as wanting to perpetuate an error forever.

I order that my funeral ceremonies be extremely modest, and that they take place at dawn or at the evening Ave Maria, without song or music.

I was born without knowing why, I have lived without knowing why, and I am dying without either knowing why or how.

I imagined it was more difficult to die. 

I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.

Man has here two and a half minutes—one to smile, one to sigh, and half a one to love; for in the midst of this minute he dies.

I think it makes small difference to the dead if they are buried in the tokens of luxury. All this is an empty glorification left for those who live.