Because we are so attached to individual existence like this we have fear of death but after we resume to our true nature there is nirvana. That is why we say to attain nirvana when we die. It is the same word. We say to take nirvana is to pass away -- to pass away is not such an adequate expression. To pass on.
Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-08-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com - Edited by DC
Dedicated to Tim Buckley who just passed on. - dc