For in that sleep of death what dreams may come.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Bruce MacCulloch

In reference to the whole water/death thing that has been brought up, I would like to note that water is the barrier between Middle Earth and the Undying Lands. Sailing over the ocean as a metaphor for going to Heaven/the afterlife does not seem at all a far stretch.

Indeed and it is often used as such in "our world" culture too - Arthur being taken to Avalon, the Styx of Greek mythology, the Pilgrim's Progress, '("When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river-side, into which as he went, he said, "Death, where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy victory?" So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.',) Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar" and many others.