death

How do people deal with death? I'm 28 and I've never had anyone die in my life. The only thing that was close to me that had died was my dog. That was one of the hardest times of my life. Now my papaw that I was so close to as a child shouldn't live but a few more days, if that. I'm sure it'll hit me when I see him today. Haven't been able to in years. How do you say goodbye to someone that you don't want to leave?