For not being an atheist you sure “know” what we “believe”.
So - I can’t speak for others, here is my take…
There is no measurable evidence for life-after-death; AND no evidence of what that “life after death” would entail (heaven, hell, reincarnation, ghost, etc etc) ALL there “is” are stories and imaginative dogma insisting “we” are somehow more special than other species on this earth whom, by and large, we seem to accept the death of.
NOW death is a process, and should I go slow (via old age) I may perhaps get to experience the bliss on my way out.
I have experienced a quick car accident (serious one) of which I don’t remember the accident itself, BUT do remember the “time dilation” where everything slowed down incredibly and I completely relaxed.
AND I have had surgeries where I do not remember a thing (my body can be alive without my consciousness)
AND it doesn’t seem to bother me that I wasn’t in existence prior to my birth - I pay no heed or miss the billions of years of evolution, nor to the everyday joe that lived his life 732 yrs ago.
WHAT I do focus on is the simple concept of “is”. I love my mind-candy, however the left-side needs to balance out the right side of the brain - for myself, I allow the principles of logic and trust the scientific method because of its rigorous demands for evidence…to steer the amount of confidence I have - and science leaves the door open for evidence; rarely insists on having complete understanding - BUT doesn’t just accept anything thrown its way…anyway - that’s a separate discussion - BACK to death.
What “is” for me, is my loved ones whom I don’t take for granted and ensure that on a day to day basis they see actions (not just words) of love … my yard with its various little ecosystems is a constant wonder in which I can spend a good portion of my day in and never get bored … the joy of cooking - I love food … I take humans in small doses, however in my interactions, I extend a “benefit of doubt if I feel there is misunderstandings” (eg. Someone taking “my” parking space) smile and extend kindness AND overall understand we are all on our own path… those whom I call friends bring me companionship, and an acceptance of who I am (lumps and all) without having to justify or change myself … I manage on a very small scale, my own actions and my own wallet to try to make decisions to better this world for my boys and (if they choose) their kids and so on - a slow process of social evolution that has brought “us” here…I could go on and on with details so to
SUMMARIZE, I value time. It is my greatest gift. My time here with what “is”. I don’t waste a second. I fill it with as many experiences as possible and enjoy consciously all life has to offer and events that occur outside my control. Emotions, such as sadness, anger, confusion, heart-break, frustration, pain, I don’t view as “bad” just as information to let me know I’ve either made a “bad” decision or my body is telling me something (health) or other people have an effect on my life or I believed something that wasn’t true, etc - I move through these negative feeling just as well as I move through and enjoy the feelings of pleasure, laughter, awe, vitality, etc which also provide me information. In the day-to-day emotional state, I’m at peace.
WHEN I am dead 
I will experience that or not - but that is for a “future” time which is not now. So I don’t waste now for what lies ahead and something I have no control of or knowledge about.