if you're riding a road bike, always descend in your drops. this will lower your center of gravity and put more weight on the front of the bike, making it more stable. riding in the drops also gives you stronger control of the brakes. if you have difficulty reaching the brakes from the drops, have them shimmed.

when you brake, move your weight back, behind your saddle (imagine placing your belly on the saddle). this will counter the over-the-front motion that you experienced in the cemetery..

one of the best exercises I use with new riders is to have them brake to an almost stop, then release the brakes (hands moving back down to the end of the drops) and let the speed gradually increase, then brake and repeat. try to maintain longer periods of time without braking. I've found if a rider knows she can stop at any time, the speed isn't quite as scary.

never brake during a turn. never.

learn to counter-steer. this will help with switchbacky descents.

find a coach or a clinic to help you learn the proper skills.

and try to smile -- it will relax you.