Ian, I can see it eating someone if they were anxious about dying in the first place, but if you weren't I don't think you would mind, even if you were to be killed by your best friend.
For instance, I don't believe death is the end to everything. To quote one of my favorite movies, I think death is "the road to awe". No matter what you believe, even if you believe in nothing, there is enough proof that even if all we did was eat a dirt sandwich, our brains would still be firing for quite a bit while doped up on DMT and our death wouldn't be one where we simply turn off but a dream (or nightmare) that could last forever.
If you believe in other things, then (mostly) our bodies are cages for our souls and we're being set free. Many people believe that to be a good thing.
If I had to really pick why people fear death, then I think what most people fear most is the pain. Fear of pain is natural and necessary. It's why we avoid making reckless decisions. I'm afraid of pain. The pain of death while healthy is sure to be severe and traumatic unless you simply OD or something then it could be awesome. But yeah, whenever I'm in a plane and experience severe turbulence where I lift out of my seat for a second, I'm not afraid I'm going to die, I am afraid that if the plane were going to crash it would hurt a ****-ton.
Also I think people fear death because of time. Death is scary because of regrets, maybe things you wish you had said or did but didn't and the lack of ability to fulfill your potential or take in all you wanted. It becomes scary because it ends your time. This train of thought I can empathize with because people who believe this life is all there is will fear death in the end because there is no continuation. This is all you get, so make the most out of it. I don't believe in that, but even if I did there's always that flood DMT to look forward to.
So I think I would rather know when I died then not. Unlike Ceric, as funny as it would be, I wouldn't go balls to the wall and try to do everything before I died. Sure I'd enjoy the masterpieces that hang in the castle and flowers that blossom in the fields but I'd lose track of the drops of oil in my spoon. Instead, I'd probably do what I'm doing now...enjoy the grandeur of life at its calmest and most uneventful. I'd probably book one trip though and that would be the place I'd want to die if I could choose. Luckily, I already know it.