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"I am not the least afraid of death."
Charles Darwin--presiding here in stone over the main hall of the Museum of Natural History in London--died on this day in 1882. His last words were recorded by his children;
I am not the least afraid of death. Remember what a good wife you have been to me.
Charles Darwin was no Epicurean. This thread just...is what it is!
As I contemplate it (not much, but sometimes) in my elder years now, I find that I am not afraid of death either. {Emphasis on that word "find" -- it doesn't really feel like a decision: I just find myself in agreement with Epicurus; but maybe I have internalized his teaching on the subject as just plainly making sense.}
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EDIT: But I just recalled some lines I wrote a few years ago --
How tragic for the the single flame to fear
annihilation in the larger fire,
or waterdrop to be afraid to fall
again into the vastness of the sea.
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Or maybe just "nothing, nothing, nothing -- nothing at all..." (With apologies to Archibald MacLeish, "The End of the World".) And thus nothing to fear ...
Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. The great Christian and religious dilemma.
Because life is so sweet it’s hard to leave it for illusory afterlife promises.
I’m 37, I’ve determined I’m in the month of mid to late July or very early August of my life. Summertime is waning as Autumn approaches. I know time is precious, the most valuable currency.
I’m still very eager to suck the marrow out of life. The ride will end when ever it does, in meantime I’ll continue to press on.
I did not recognize that song Matt posted, but when I saw the title and the singers I immediately recognized the name Glenn Yarborough for THIS song below. I have always thought "Baby the rain must fall" was Epicurean-compatible as to the main them, seeking pleasure despite the pain that comes along the way. More of an anthem than the "nobody wants to die song" and maybe more helpful in troubled times. I guess the folk singers tended toward philosophical themes.
Sorry for the partial divergence from the Charles Darwin / death theme, but he does say that he doesn't know and will live with whatever comes (heaven or hell, and he should have offered "none of the above" but it's hard to rhyme that).
I recently acquired a chain bracelet engraved with the words "Memento Mori." I know this is a phrase generally adopted by and associated with the Stoics. But, for me, it is a simple reminder to enjoy the simple pleasures and enjoyments -- and to choose happiness -- now; especially when I am on the edge of succumbing to stress, anxiety, anger, etc. -- which I have long been prone to do (along with getting caught in loops of endless overthinking). I pair "memento mori" with "laetus nunc es": be happy now.
Memento Mori." I know this is a phrase generally adopted by and associated with the Stoics.
Don't forget Seneca attributes "meditare mortem" specifically to Epicurus as well, so the Stoics don't have the practice of remembering death all to themselves. 
"Peccantem me quotidie, et non poenitentem, timor mortis conturbat me. Quia in inferno nulla est redemptio, miserere mei, Deus, et salva me." Sinning daily, and not repenting, the fear of death disturbs me. For there is no redemption in Hell, have mercy on me, o God, and save me.
Subtle, they are not. Are they? 
Lordy! Paian Anax!
"Be afraid! Be afraid!! We're your only hope of missing eternal torment! Did we say 'eternal'?!"
Bah!
PS: They encourage you to remember death to scare you about the possibility of eternal damnation. Epicureans remember death to remind us to pay heed to the sweetness of life in the here and now.
