Death is not an easy thing to deal with when it's someone we care about.. It's not something I personally like thinking about BUT.. All who we love (and ourselves) will pass away.. We have to grasp this, and understand we will all one not be here - to process life and the pain that death leaves behind is important.
Don't take this lightly, if processing death of a stranger (Michael - who we can love from a distance) can have such a huge impact how would that individual internalize a death of a family member.. I believe for many Michael passing killed the fantasy that was the icon - not just the person.. If we can understand that the icon, the image, the fantasy still lives on.. (And not just a hokey comment by me) we can grasp things a piece at a time!
For those who are still struggling with this, (which I'm sure we are all in some regard) don't try tackling it all at once, it is a huge undertaking that the mind cannot do all at once.. maybe first grasp the fact that he was a human that was destined to pass away like the rest of us. He was not an entity - though he often seamed like one.. It may help grasp this also by knowing that Michael was in pain, he even feared growing old, think of how hurt and struggling was when he was alive... What I am trying to say is, he is no longer (no matter what belief you have) fearing for his life anymore...
The art continues... His hope was to create things that will live forever, HE DID THAT! his music, his art, everything he left behind will be here after each of us have passed on.. He really does live in each person (even non fans) the impact he had changed popular culture in ways that most do not grasp.. Really give that thought, in that way he is more alive than many of the 'living' today..
allow yourself to focus on yourself, your health, your joys.. Don't live in the sadness your mind traps you in.. THAT is not living! healing is found in optimism, laughter, and in the glory that we call imagination.. plants really do grow healthier with music, even the smallest organisms dance to rhythms, and humans are not the only living creatures that laugh...