If you could give me any examples of what the death card could mean in the life of someone so I can paint a picture in my head that would really help.
Well, its a bit hard as it lacks context, but I will tell you what those two cards could mean for me;
Death would be about change and a new cycle, embrace it and move forward , or cling to the old form and die with it. Then the 4D would give that context ;
Look at the 4 of discs Thoth deck (sorry, I cant link to its image, but they are easy to find) -
as I see it, it is looking down into a courtyard in a castle - this is one's sacred space and is defended. But it cant always be closed and locked up so no one can ever enter, also the drawbridge should not always be down and the doors open so anyone can saunter in and trash the place - or you ! Dont be closed up always in your sacred space, but dont allow those inappropriate to come in and walk all over you. Carefully choose by balancing the forces outlined below. If someone is doing this, or you are acting averse to what is indicated as a good path of action, the Death card seems to indicate you need to stop it and end that now.
Conversely, that door and bridge needs to be open so you can come out and venture into the world, as well as finding solitude inside.
The key is to keep those 4 elemental towers balanced and in order, not all the resources in one or two of them ; it is the elemental formula for balancing the psyche , equal proportions of all ingredients and equal attention to the development of the parts;
Wand / Fire : individuation, inspiration, 'will' , connection to 'spirit ' , 'Superego / consciousness.
Cup / Water : Emotions / feelings, intuition, connection to 'soul', the Unconscious.
Sword (Dagger) / Air : Conciousness, mentation, intellect, analysis, Ego.
Disc / Earth ; Body, practicality, manifestation, Personna.
Study of the four worlds, elemental theory, and the way the 4 tarot suits relate will reveal a lot about this and the elemental working in your own psyche ( and far to much to write all about there ).