The demise of the Enterprise-D and Kirk's death actually have a lot in common, both deserved a more poetic farewell.
So, why not combine them?
In my mind it's Kirk, standing on the saucer section of the D as it's crashing, and he's beating the bloody snot (literally) out of Soran. Kirk looks up at the bridge, gives an astonished (and highly aroused) Troi one last wink, before his anti-grav boots suddenly fail and he goes flying off. Then we find Kirk's body several miles away, and just as the sun is rising, he says, 'It was...fun". And he dies. Alone. Because he always knew he would.
So, why not combine them?
In my mind it's Kirk, standing on the saucer section of the D as it's crashing, and he's beating the bloody snot (literally) out of Soran. Kirk looks up at the bridge, gives an astonished (and highly aroused) Troi one last wink, before his anti-grav boots suddenly fail and he goes flying off. Then we find Kirk's body several miles away, and just as the sun is rising, he says, 'It was...fun". And he dies. Alone. Because he always knew he would.