The closer is get to the exit, the more i reflect upon what i have contributed, what legacy i have created, and why i think any of this matters.

Probably the same reason most people believe in religion. Brainwashing and lack of thought. You would think just asking them if anyone ever came back and told them so would be enough

fear

Sorrow

Once you die, there is nothing left but a lump of meat

Some people are unhappy with live and don't want to believe this is all that there is. Wishful thinking.

I quite like the idea of going back to stardust.

Why do people give one rat's ass, or one moment of the their actual life wasting time on this? I honestly do not understand it..........

once again I turn to Buddhist thinking, death is just another part of life,
there is no reason to fear that. death is not a source of suffering.
it is the fear of death that is the source of suffering.
when you no longer fear death you no longer suffer.

I think most educated people really know that is the case, but they don't want it to be. So they hope and pretend there is life after death, though they don't think it through rationally.

Life does linger especially through our children and mourners as do we carry on some of our forebears.....morbid obsession with dead bodies is the essence of religions and most Atheists mourn loved ones while believers either are griefstruck OR PRETENDING LIFE CONTINUES in an alleged heaven

Because we miss people when they're dead and want them to be alive, somewhere.

Not sure but physics says energy cannot be destroyed so who knows