@Afraser this is true. Absolutely we are not prepared for it and these are life skills we really need. Perhaps in the classroom more could be done. I'm not sure.
I think there's a fine line to be balanced as well. Talking about death too much, when you're battling a disease like this, can also erode the 'hope' and therefore negatively impact people on the journey. I tried to keep things very positive on the journey. People can get absorbed by the notion of death and easily slip into depression which isn't healthy either.
Life sure is tough