It is necessary to be strong in the face of death, because death is intrinsic to life. It is for this reason that I tell my students: aim to be the person at your father's funeral that everyone, in their grief and misery, can rely on. That's a worthy and noble ambition.
Step up. Be the one who people look to. Absorb the impact and the negativity. Draw fire yes: Draw fire. Bring that pain to me
I can handle it when others cannot. When bad things are happening I will be the one good thing standing tall that can be relied upon.