Does one have to have personally had a nearth-death experience to come to grips with death?  I can't recall a single one that I have had, but I witnessed first-hand a death that was immediate and very unexpected.  I was 5 years old when my stepfather was hit by a semi and killed.  As I grew older, I never developed a fear of dying.  I suppose it made me much more of a fatalist.  If it is going to happen, it will, and their ain't a ****load that I can do about it.  It sounds cliche, but once your number is pulled, I don't think their is much that is going to keep it from happening.  Why be afraid of it?