I think for those who have experienced the death of someone close, the pain of separation is the worst thing. We just don't want to lose them. For those dying, the emotion is often a fear of the unkown. What will it feel like, will I suffer, is there something else after this. Death is also so impersonal nowadays. In days gone by (and still nowadays in more rural locations and in some cultures)people were more involved when a loved one died - washing, preparing the body etc. These days many of these things have been taken out of people's hands, whether they like it or not. Very soon after a loved one dies, the body of their loved one is taken away (by hospital staff, funeral director etc). I believe that people should have as much (or as little) involvement as they want in preparing the body of their loved one, combing their hair, sitting silently with them, or whatever. Some funeral directors are very accomodating about this but sadly, some are not. As for animals. They do grieve too. Not sure whether their grief lasts for years although I am always moved by stories about Greyfriars Bobby, the wee dog who lay by his master's grave for many years.