Religion as a comfort is the same as drug taking to relieve discomfort. It is a kind of mental drug that alleviates disturbances in a life. I'm not unsympathetic to this, however, if a person is really distraught and needs religion then it becomes a kind of medication for them. When people reach a certain age and death is imminent then they turn to religion for solace. I can understand this as death is something that is fearful and mysterious for many.

However, that's what religion is and that's what it does.

It has to be said, however, that life's discomforts do not need religion to salve them.

Seeing death as a part of life is an important aspect. The concept of life after death doesn't need to be there for comfort.