Larry Rosenberg provides a good description of approaches to practicing with awareness of death as a way to re-orient our priorities in life, and through that awareness let go of some of the pettiness that we may experience in our relationships with others. You can find that article here: Death Awareness.
A related practice that can be helpful in allowing us to focus on what is true and beautiful in our lives are the five remembrances taught by the Buddha. Pamela Ayo Ayetunde has a short introduction to the five remembrances that you can find here: The Five Remembrances. A more detailed article on practicing with the five remembrances by Koun Franz can be found here: Buddhism’s “Five Remembrances” Are Wake-Up Calls for Us All.