David Bowie: Lazarus (2016)

David Bowie is suffering from terminal cancer when he filmed this video. Like Johnny Cash's "Hurt", "Lazarus" is a goodbye to fans. At the same time, this song explains the dying process to the audience. Bowie's composure at the end of life is simply amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8

Sting: Soul Cages (1991)

Sting worked through his father's death by developing The Soul Cages album. The concept album dealt with Sting's faith, his father's passing, and mortality. The album eventually influenced Sting's musical The Last Ship which premiered in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIGtjCcdtr0

Nirvana: Lithium (1992)

Nirvana began recording "Lithium" in 1990. Front man Kurt Cobain disliked drummer Chad Channing's effort on the record, which helped lead to Dave Grohl's entry into the band. The song is about a man that turns to religion to cope with his girlfriend's death. "Lithium" was inspired by Karl Marx's comments about religion being an opiate for the masses. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkcJEvMcnEg

Sting: All This Time (1991)

Sting reacted to his father’s death by writing music. “All This Time” is an examination of his father’s passing and his own feelings. The song’s character wants to bury his dad at sea rather than deal with religious ceremony. There is a hard questioning of religion in the song to go along with death. The upbeat music counters the sadness and confusion Sting feels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LdUme7QZLY