People recognize that death is unpredictable and inevitable, which conflicts with the drive for self-preservation. Therefore, people invest in cultural beliefs and worldviews to counter the fear that death is inevitable. People seek symbolic immortality through their connection with things greater than themselves. A high self-esteem helps sway the fear of mortality.
Citations: Miller, S. P. (2019). Terror management theory. Salem Press encyclopedia.
Greenberg, J., & Ardnt, J. (2012) Terror management theory. In Handbook of theories of social psychology: Vol. 1 (398–415). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.