Jen...we humans don't KNOW that they are gone forever any more than we know what there is - if anything - after death.

That's one thing I envy about people who die - they have THE ANSWER, and can't tell us!

There was an ancient Jewish philosopher who said words to the effect heaven/afterlife cannot be explained to us any more than colours can be explained to a blind person, nor music to a deaf one.

I guess we just have to wait.