Death
Death is a state in which a sims dies. The sim in question is visited by the anthropormorphic personification of Death (i.e Grimmy- thankyou Pratchett) who plays a cameo depending on the method of death and the aspiration level of the sim in question. Sims can be killed in many ways including fire, shock, starvation, flies, being eaten by the cowplant and being scared to death.
If there is a living sim around they can plead for their loved one with the Grim Reaper but it doesn't always work. The chances of success are determined by the relationship of the sim with the nearly deceased and pure chance.
There is a different animation for pets that die.
In Sims University there is a special item, the Resurrect-O-Nomitron which can restore Sims but for a hefty fee of up to 10,000 simoleons. If the Sim who wants to bring another Sim back pays very little they sim will return as a zombie, with reversed skills or not at all. Except for children.
If no one is around when the Reaper comes to call Death stays on the lot for a little while, uses the toilet, watches TV- hey, he does this job for a millenia and the dental plan is a joke, give a bone a break!
Finally if the sim that died is the last sim on the lot an amusing dialogue will appear.