I definitely sleep better once the sun starts to come up. Napping during the day is also easier than sleeping at night. I think it's related to my specific traumas though...
I've never known how to deal with death. I know it happens, I expect it, but it doesn't make it easier to tolerate when someone or something close to me dies. I think it might have to do with attachment and a sense of safety. Generally, if the trauma happened when you were younger, and involved a primary attachment figure, I'm guessing it would be more of a challenge to babel death and dying.
As a culture though, Americans kinda suck at dealing with death. We either minimize it or fall apart from it...