exchemist
Valued Senior Member
Surely it is fear of ceasing to exist rather than the unknown, isn't it?The fear of death is a complex topic that transcends beliefs. It's rooted in our nature as living beings. While atheists may not believe in an afterlife, the fear often stems from the unknown and the idea of leaving this world behind. Facing mortality can evoke a mix of emotions, irrespective of one's spiritual beliefs.
And in my experience (e.g. in the case of my wife and my father), people close to death lose their fear of it. I suspect we fear the death of others as much as we fear it for ourselves.