Euphemism uses mild or indirect words or expressions to replace ones that are considered too harsh, blunt, or offensive. Euphemisms are often used to convey delicate or sensitive topics, such as death, sex, bodily functions, or social taboos, in a more polite or socially acceptable manner. They can also be used to avoid causing offense or discomfort to the listener or reader.
Examples of euphemism:
“He passed away” instead of “He died” – a common euphemism for death.
“She’s expecting” instead of “She’s pregnant” – a euphemism used to avoid explicit mention of pregnancy.
“The birds and the bees” instead of “Sex education” – a euphemism used to refer to the topic of sex in a more indirect and euphemistic way.
“We’re downsizing” instead of “We’re laying off employees” – a euphemism often used in business settings to refer to the process of reducing staff.
when talking about a death in WW2 durring the book thief, “Even death has a heart”
is that a euphemism for war being heartless?
I would say that is more of a personification- describing something inanimate (death) using human characteristics (having a heart)