I was wanting to hear others views on this. Haibane Renmei is full of symbolism, and some of it can mean different things to different people. Be warned, this topic could contain spoilers..

Here's my view (Highlight to read)

I think that the dream they have in the cocoon tells partly how they died (If you look at the town as sort of a purgatory, a chance to redeem themselves). It seems that Rakka commited suicide in her past life. Her dream makes me believe that she jumped off a building. The crow was probably either a parent, sibling, or very close friend. They were trying to hold her back. They loved her. Reki's was more obvious, since she was told her name meant "One who was ran over and torn apart", and she was walking on tracks in her dreams. Since she was also sin-bound, it seems that she killed herself by standing infront of a train. As for the people in the town who aren't Haibane? I'm not so sure. It never really says much about them. But..I think the Communicator is a haibane who lost his wings and halo because he never made his day fo flight. As for the rest of the Haibane who aren't sin-bound, I don't think they commited suicide. Suicide is supposed to be one of the most horrible sins, so the others must have done something less serious. Maybe the town is more of a purgatory for ones who died before they were supposed to? the only older one I've ever seen in Old Home was a human, she helped Reki take care of the Young Feathers.

What do you think?

Yes I thought so too. ^^ Its kind of sad though.....

I think Kana died because she drown'

Nemu was sleeping in her dream. How do you think she died?

She proably died in her sleep....Heart Attack? Diease? Ect?