I've noticed a pattern when people die from an overdose or suicide and the pattern is that the reason is often kept secret. I've also seen it happen when people die from natural causes (heart attack, stroke), but not as much. There are usually a few non family members, who are gate keepers of information and decide who is worthy to know anything including information about a funeral.

I'm honestly in my feelings, because I think that not knowing what happened slows down the grieving process. I also think that as a gay community we need to talk about the impact drugs and depression, and suicide has on the gay community. We can't talk about it, if we act like it doesn't happen and/or don't let people know what happened. Most recently a 25 year old guy died unexpectedly. I know it wasn't murder or a car accident and I doubt it was a medical condition, but the cause is being kept secret and the messages a given are, "the people who need to know already know".

If I was to pass, my good friends and family don't know all of my many friendships that I have with people all across the world and I hope they would share information about me and not discount those friendships just because they are not aware of them.