I have a question. A friend told me that some Atheists believe in an after life even though

[AlbertCat]

40. "I guess when you loose your only child you hope/wish that you'll see them again"

Of course you do! You're human!

But being your child means that 1/2 of its DNA is yours. What does that mean in an afterlife?

Your Grandmother shares 1/4 of her DNA with you.... and most likely a bunch of experiences you two had together as you grew up. All those experiences and memories are in your brain. You both die. So now that your DNA and your grandmother's DNA are both gone and neither of your brains are working....just how are you to recognize your grandmother in the afterlife? What does "grandmother" even mean without the physical and experiences gone? Nothing of your relationship exists anymore....(except maybe 3rd party memories of the two of you)

All afterlives and reincarnations were invented because no one wants to die coupled with wanting to see absent loved ones again. Of course you do! You're human!