In all the prequels most of the major scenes had a conterpart in the original trilogy. With an exception of the funeral of Padme. She of course was mysteriously absent from the OT except for the brief mention in ROTJ. The only thing close was Vader cremation which just didn't have the cinematic presence that Padme's funeral had. This is probably from a visual as well as emotional one of the best scenes in the whole saga. It brought tears to my eyes. The funeral in the twilight hours, the lanterns of the procession and Padme's beauty surrounded by flowers which glowed with there own light. She holding Anakin's japor snippet. An emotional end to a keystone of the entire saga. Without her the rest would have never been.

The circumstances that brought us to that scene escapes me though. Why did she die? A broken heart is a thin argument. GL could have at least given her a physical reason to die since she did suffer some trauma. I seem to remember the novel portrays this better by Anakin throwing her against a wall while choking her. Easy explanation enternal injuries... nope out the window with the statements of the droid. Was this a fitting end for someone so strong in spirit. Of course an argument could be made as to what is more fitting. Dying of a broken heart then, or in hiding on Alderaan a year or two later like a widow in some 18th century novel. The latter fits more with OT better since we know she had to die early on, but I won't get into the why does Leia have memories discussion.

Since I have no say in the matter or the access to put a bug in Lucas' ear while writing I really can't second guess what is his vision. Nor do I mean disrespect. The contribution his movies have made in my life I will always cherish. I just felt it was such a weak treatment of something greatly important to the story. It had such a after thought feel compared to the interaction of Obi-wan and Anakin during the "You were my brother" speech (The even more tear evoking scene for me)

Maybe it is just me but I need a better explanation than "we can't explain it".