Death in Middle Earth

[Beor]

So I was sitting on the couch, and I wondered to myself, "so what exactly does happen to men when they die?" Then I thought, "referring, of course, to JRR Tolkien's mythology". He never states it (probably because he didnt know where they really went anyway, or he didnt have it fleshed out enough to write it down), all he really says about it (that I have read) is that "the elves know not where they go", or something like that. I think it states in Morgoths Ring somewhere, that they are supposed to go somewhere and set up an Arda-Unmarred or something, but I am not sure. Any thoughts?

Oh, and I am shivering like a hot dog.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

I think it would be the same kind of thing that Christians believe happen when you die. That they will go to 'heaven' and be with Eru.

[Gordis]

They go at first to the Halls of Mandos, but only briefly, and then beyond...

[CrazySquirrel]

But will there be a jugement and retribution?

[Gordis]

Actually I don't know. Perhaps in Mandos? But has Mandos the right to withhold the Gift from evil men?

[Sister Golden Hair]

Actually I don't know. Perhaps in Mandos? But has Mandos the right to withhold the Gift from evil men?None of the Valar had the power to withhold death from Men. It was their nature and the Gift of Iluvatar. Only Iluvatar could do that.

[Gordis]

I meant not the death itself, but the right to go beyond. Perhaps the evil ones were obliged to stay in the Halls of Mandos not briefly but much longer and suffer somehow.
Has Tolkien explained this somewhere?

[Sister Golden Hair]

I meant not the death itself, but the right to go beyond. Perhaps the evil ones were obliged to stay in the Halls of Mandos not briefly but much longer and suffer somehow.
Has Tolkien explained this somewhere?With 12 volumes of the HoMe, I'm sure there is something in there about it. I'll try to see what I can find. :)

[Lenya]

As far as I understood Tolkien, humans also go to the halls of Mandos for waiting. Only, unlike the Elves, at the end of time/the world (?) they will 'go beyond' and live an iternal life with Eru. The question I'm asking is what happens to the Elves? And does the good and bad Elves stay for ever in the halls of Mandos? Or are the good ones granted a better fate?