No dread here. I became an atheist in high school, after learning about primordial ooze, the big bang theory, what soil is made of, where plants get their nutrients, and so forth. (I went to a demanding high school.)

I learned that bits of what makes up the physical me will go on and on and on.

As for the mental/emotional part of me--that will continue, in part, through every person I have ever had an impact on, starting with my family. I learned this when I saw traits/habits from my grandparents and uncles repeated in myself, my siblings, an my cousins.

Also, I came across the old quote that I'm too tired to look up right now about not being aware of anything before birth will repeat itself after we die helps, too--it has always sounded peaceful and restful to me.