Thinking, pondering

I was wondering. Why, when someone dies, do people say, "I loved them." Why not, "I love them"? Do you stop loving someone when they die? I loved my gran when she was alive. I loved her when she died. Its going on 10 months since she died, and I still love her. And in years to come, I'll carry on loving her. I mean, people are inite, sure, but isn't love forever? Then again, what do I know, hey?