The ending, for me, was as inevitable as any death. Moreso, given the desperate environment wartime inhabitants face. The fact that Ofelia had created this quasi-religious backdrop (safety-net) in which to fall into was much the same as an old guy 'finding' his faith as he approaches the day. Her destiny was obviously made all the more welcoming by the reconciliation with loved ones and arrival at 'a better place'; again a phrase which is often bandied around at times of death.
The only alternative for her was to know her certain fate would be in vain, without solace and bereft of calm.
Again, a brilliant film. Made me think differently about faith and mortality.
Not that I'm about to invest in some rosary beads.