Explaining death is the second and very important reason that religion was invented. It filled the need to explain a terrible, horrible, catastrophic event; maybe even provide for life after death. I, along with others in the minority, have never seen anything consistent with what I know of the universe that indicates that gods or life after death exists, so I deal with the death issue (and yes, the family member that I was closest to died two years ago, so I DO have experience with this subject, I am not just talking from ignorance). It happens to all of us, and that is our end.

For those who take comfort in an afterlife, I wish them well. As a strong atheist, I do not believe such a thing exists (and would not want to live FOREVER anyway; things would get boring after the millionth, billionth, trillionth ... repetition).