I think so much depends on the individual in this regard. It's hard to say definitively one way or the other. I've seen some who have been able to get through tough times because of their faith, and others who have turned away from their faith because of tough times. I've seen people without faith deal admirably, while people with faith did not.

For my part, the idea that my grandparents are watching over me is creepy, to say the least. The thought of my mother-in-law watching over me is downright terrifying!

As for dealing with death, I'm not so sure. I've read stories of terminally ill devout believers who were terrified of dying, and stories of terminally ill non-believers who were calmly accepting of their fate. I've also read of the reverse. So again, I think it depends on the individual. And in my case, at least, I find that, as a non-believer, I'm not afraid of death now. Dying, yes. The process can be frightening, especially when long and drawn out. But actually being dead holds no terror for me anymore. Non-existence after my death can't be any worse than the non-existence before my birth.