Death and celebrity together create a profound effect among people. Death is hard enough, but when we add "celebrity" to the mix, the result is often deeper than is the case with family members. This year, like most, has a large roster of celebrities who have passed. However, this year, unlike most, also features the enormous death toll that has affected many, many ordinary people and families around the globe. Which forces us to ask the question: what is it about death and celebrity that so profoundly touches us?