How Did Laufey Die in God of War?

In God of War (2018), Faye — also known as Laufey — is already dead when the story begins. Her funeral pyre is where the game opens, and her ashes are what Kratos and Atreus set out to spread at the highest peak in all the realms. But how did she actually die?

What the Games Tell Us

• The 2018 game and Ragnarök never show Faye's death or name a specific cause.
• Kratos says she fell ill. Atreus remembers her getting weaker over time.
• There's no battle, no enemy responsible. It's presented as a natural death, though the circumstances feel incomplete.
• The new game, God of War Laufey, may or may not address this directly since it's a prequel set before she met Kratos.

Could There Be More to the Story?

Many fans believe Faye's death wasn't fully explained. She was a giant — giants in God of War don't typically die of old age or illness without some cause. Some theories suggest she gave up her life force to protect Kratos and Atreus from Odin's sight, or that she was cursed by the giants for leaving Jötunheim. The new game might shed light on this, but as of now, what we have is simple: she fell ill and passed away.