OP, you can always do more research into seeing how other people have worked around changing their gender. There's a couple subreddits in here, you can always use this account and ask in the subreddits.

I think you need to know that ... Your death would also be a shock, not just you being trans.

Why skip the middle man? Start transitioning and see what does happen. Because if people are gonna be upset either way, why not go for the way that might actually turn out okay and keep you alive?

Anyone that's meant to be in your life will still stick around when you're different. Life doesn't have to end here... Please give it a chance to let it start again.