I felt a bit lost in reading "The Next in Line." Would someone please help me see what I'm not seeing?

To me it's a perfect example of horror at the physical reality of death by those who don't believe in any meaningful existence afterwards. Even if they do, closely contemplating one's own impending death is unpleasant.

Well, what happens to Marie? Evidently she dies because Joseph is wearing a mourning band on his arm. But how does she die? Does Joseph kill her? Does she go into a catatonic state and does Joseph have her put into the tomb? But we see her breathing in the end. I don't get it. I really like the story and the way Bradbury handles Marie's obsession and hysteria, and up until the ending I thought I was following the storyline pretty well. But that last paragraph threw me for a loop. Any brainy thoughts out there for this thick-headed bear?

It's implied that she died, but maybe they just broke up and she left Mexico another way.

Maybe so, but Marie must have been one heck of a woman to inspire the wearing of a mourning band after a break-up. I can't say anyone's ever been so moved to do the same for me! Ha Ha!