my problem with the explination that was given in the movie is that gandalf doesnt say what happend and its not even something that is really explained.. maybe somebody can clear up the confusion i have.i think he didnt die but did have some kind of rebirth or something

He was sent back. Thats all he says. Yes he died. About the name the white, i think, is b cus he comfront and destroy the balrog. That thing was a demon, not monster.

4 me i believe that the only difference between the white n grey is that u become more power n ur hair,garments n staff turns colour

for a wizard,what color u are determens what rank u are.like with karate belts,exept with wizards white is the highest rank u can get 2,thats why saruman was scared when he saw gandalf was white instead of grey after he returned

Saruman too was white and he was sure that gandalf cant stop him, well until he saw that gandalf gain the highest power. He was now a white wizard.