These kind of surprises in the game are sad, but often they also give us new possibilities how to play with the family.
Few years back I refused to accept surprise deaths and I usually exited without saving, but many times I thought afterwards "what if I just let it happen, what would happen to the family?" I decided to let the game decide if it wants my Sim to die and it's been interesting. I haven't had many surprise deaths and the victims haven't been my favorite Sims, but it's been giving me new ideas how to continue with the family.