What are some helpful ways of coping with the death of a spouse?

I've heard about cultures who actually celebrate death, and would love to hear more about that---does anyone practice any of these "celebrations"? How would someone who grew up in a family who prefers to not even acknowledge death incorporate some of these celebratory practices?

A rather surprising story has come out of Sweden, regarding family members (particularly spouses) who remain uninformed of their loved one's terminal illness. Many were simply not told by doctors that their spouse's illness was terminal until right before the spouse died.