An interesting question that arises naturally but is entirely unaddressed in the article is “why (and how) would evolution select for this kind of final behaviour?” Given that by definition the process of death occurs well after the phase of out-reproducing others, how would evolution even have an opportunity to select for this “closing of the curtains” moment. It would have to be the byproduct of something that enhances reproductive fitness during the fertile period or extends that period of fertility. Maybe those who have less traumatic near-death-experiences go on to have children (or more children) than those who faced a nihilistic experience? That really seems to be utterly marginal and likely to be swamped by genetic drift. Also remember that arguably it’s the genes that are using us to procreate, not the other way around (selfish gene hypothesis). I really don’t understand how this could arise, and insofar as I don’t understand how it could arise, I’m fairly skeptical that it’s actually occurring (slightly skewed take on scientific empiricism I know, but I’m a Bayesian at heart).