ichidan verb, intransitive verb
be separated by death; lose someone to death
Refers to the permanent separation caused by the death of a loved one. Often used in contrast with 生き別れる (to be separated while alive).
幼い頃に両親と死に別れた。
I was separated from my parents by death when I was little.
戦争で多くの家族が死に別
Many families were torn apart by death during the war.