Speaking as an atheist I have no fear of death at all. Why? Because for billions of years before I existed I was fine, so I will be just as fine after I go. I know I am being a bit flippant here but you can see my point.
And as for loosing a loved one, well I see just as much grief when a theist looses a loved one as an atheist. But an atheist can accept the pure logical fact that as an animal [I higher primate] that is just how it is. And we move on.
I find that most atheists are the product of the actions and speech of hypocritical religion. If many representatives of a company behave in a way that brings the whole company into disrepute, then massive loss of the customer base is to be expected.
But have you ever seen those TV show where the boss of a company goes undercover to see what his employees are really up to and what they think of the boss? Those he finds loyally doing their job in spite of the activities of those around them, get rewarded and I guess those who are found to be disloyal, lazy or dishonest, get their marching orders.
What if God is like that undercover boss and the loyalty reward is everlasting life. What if the marching order is everlasting death?
Who cares about death if they have no belief in any restoration of life in the first place? The marching orders mean little to them. They have no one to answer to but themselves and they already expect what is coming for them. They merely go back to where they were before....they did not exist then, they will not exist after death.
It is only those who have an inner conviction that this life is not all there is, who care about what "the boss" thinks of them and their activities, who will do what they believe is right in the eyes of God.
It doesn't matter what others are doing or thinking....it only matters what YOU think and do as an individual among the masses.
We will reap what we have sown and the "boss" has his eye on us.
