Yeah, the Master is dead.

Just like he could never have made it out of Gallifrey alive after The End of Time.

Just like he was dead at the end of Last of the Time Lords.

Just like he was dead at the end of the TV movie.

Just like he could never have made it off of the Cheetah Planet before it broke up at the end of Survival.

...I would go on, but this would get very long indeed if I did.

No, the Master/Mistress isn't dead. She'll be back. Hopefully sooner rather than later ... and I really hope Michelle Gomez returns, too! Easily the best Master since Delgado (or at least close to being tied with Big Finish audio's Beevers and Macqueen).

Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

Whatever became of the "don't cremate me" arc? It just stopped. Was it true, or was it an unfortunate side effect of preserving the minds, or was it just part of the Master's distraction?

I think it was part of the Master's ruse to get people to willingly delete their emotions.