“Passed away,” originated, I presume, with undertakers. Its use with respect to historical figures or total strangers (Abraham Lincoln passed away in Washington, D.C., in 1865.) or pets is prissy and irritating. (Also annoying: “Former President” Abraham Lincoln...
Upper Class: He died.
Middle Class: He passed away.
Lower Class: He went home to Jesus.
According to Google, Abraham Lincoln’s political party was the National Union Party. We can’t have people finding out that Lincoln was a Republican,