Answers:
Years ago, when the hanging of criminals was the preferred method of execution, instead of having a 'properly designed' hanging platform, they would throw a rope over a tree limb, put an upside-down bucket below it, stand the criminal on the bucket, adjust the rope (etc), and ... to actually perform the execution they simply "kick the bucket".
Quite logical actually.
The meaning has gotten extended from execution to any kind of death.
I looked up the phrase for you as I've always been interested to find the answer myself. it is used widely throughout the UK too. This what I found:
The wooden frame that was used to hang animals up by their feet for slaughter was called a bucket. Not unnaturally they were likely to struggle or to spasm after death and hence 'kick the bucket'. This goes back beyond the 17th century.
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