Most people would say that the biggest thing in their life is suffering and death. In Buddhist philosophy life is samsara. Life is suffering. While appearing to be negative, this view on life merely points out that suffering is just more of the same old small stuff. Seeing it as such allows us to become prepared for death so that when it happens it doesn't become big stuff.
Death is an integral part of the cycle of life.
Birth guarantees death. Something so common and so a part of life need not be feared. The lifetime that we have places in our way a steady stream of opportunity preparing us for the final opportunity. We can see our life as a series of small stuff events and one big stuff battle after another if we wish. Or, we can see it as offering the endless possibility of serving others.