One of the most important thing when you are trying to understand the message/gift of your dreams, is to think about not only what the dream symbol means, but what your response to it is. How do you feel when the death arises in your dreamspace? Sad? wracked by grief? fearful? Helpless? Look at this emotional response of yours, and then look around your waking life to see what area in your life do you hold those same feelings. It may be you have an unprocessed issue, and your dream teacher is gently trying to get you to notice this opportunity to heal that in your waking life.