That stinks and I'm so sorry. Unfortunately, for me at least, it doesn't get any easier. I wouldn't have buried her, either, under those circumstances.
Well, she was the first pet I ever had die on me. She was just under 3 years old: turning three at the beginning of September. Not really a ripe old age for a chicken!
Her abdomen was fine, I didn't notice any swelling when petting her the other night, but she was remarkably thin. She'd lost so much weight, and the comb had started to turn blackish-purple
It's just so weird to see a hen that once ran around the garden tucked in a little bag!