Have you ever wondered what happens when we die? I have. For most of my life, I’ve been involved in a search for the truth about who we really are, where we come from and what happens when we finally give up our human bodies. I’d like to share the answers I have found in this blog, which is part of a series of ‘big’ questions that I think we all have at some point or another.
Death is one of the few things every single one of us will experience. In fact, every animal, plant and human being on Earth will experience the death of their physical body. Yet, for many, it remains the greatest mystery, and often, their greatest fear.
From the perspective of the eternal soul, death is not an ending but a transition — a return to our true home in the non-physical realms, a place beyond time, limitation, and separation. The body is released, but the consciousness that animated it continues. This is my belief and the current summation in my search for answers, although I do say ‘current summation’ as I’m always open to greater wisdom and new learning. But I’m not alone in this conclusion.
Across cultures, spiritual teachings, and modern-day Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), a consistent picture emerges: death is not the end and should not be feared. Instead, it is a homecoming, and one filled with love, understanding, and profound reconnection to the Source Energy Creator of All That Is
But even knowing this, I still had questions about what happens to us when we die, especially after my mother died quite suddenly. In this blog, and on this website, I’ve tried to answer this. So come with me on a journey through Near-Death Experiences, spiritual traditions, and the soul’s return home.
Perspectives from spiritual traditions
Almost every spiritual tradition affirms that there is life after death on Earth:
- Ancient Egypt: The soul journeys through the Duat (underworld) and is weighed against the feather of Ma’at (truth)
- Hinduism: The atman (soul) is eternal, reincarnating until liberation (moksha) is reached
- Buddhism: Consciousness moves through the bardos — intermediate states — before rebirth
- Christianity: Promises of resurrection and eternal life in God’s presence
- Indigenous traditions: Many speak of the soul returning to the ancestors or the spirit world
Whilst it is beyond the scope of this article to go into the details of these beliefs, you can find out about them easily enough through the internet or a library.
The following account is what I have come to believe happens once we die.
What happens when our body dies?
If you lived in Scotland and you wanted to know what London was like, chances are you’d ask someone who had been there, had spoken to people who lived there or knew first-hand what London was like. But when it comes to death, mainstream science seems to have turned a blind eye to the mounting evidence and proof of an afterlife, staring it in the face! Although there are some scientists and institutions who are engaged in actively trying to understand this eternal question, mainstream medicine and traditional science still seem unable to fully embrace the idea of the soul and consciousness continuing after the death of the body.
Near-Death Experiences — modern glimpses beyond the veil
One of the most compelling sources of evidence and insight into what happens after death comes from those who have temporarily crossed the threshold and returned to tell the tale. (Like going to London and returning to tell your Scottish friends what it’s like.)
Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) occur when someone is clinically dead or very close to death for a measurable period of time, but is later revived. Across thousands of cases, the patterns are strikingly similar — regardless of the person’s background, culture, or beliefs.
Common elements reported include:
- A sense of leaving the body, often watching events from above
- Moving through a tunnel or into light
- A profound feeling of unconditional love
- Meeting deceased loved ones, pets, or spiritual beings
- A “life review” where they re-experience their actions and feelings — from their own perspective and the perspective of others affected
- A decision, or being told, that it is “not their time” and they must return
So let’s look at some of these things in more detail.
A sense of leaving the body
Many NDE experiencers say they suddenly find themselves floating above their own body, able to see and hear everything happening around them with astonishing clarity. Hospital patients have accurately described medical procedures they could not have physically witnessed, right down to conversations between staff and the exact instruments used. This perspective is often described as calm and detached, without physical pain. People have even moved through the hospital or the scene and observed people and conversations in different locations. One person described a conversation she heard her sister having with someone as she was miles away and still driving to the hospital to see her, including her clothes in great detail, all of which were later confirmed by the sister.
Out-of-Body experiences and the astral planes
Some people experience Out-of-Body Experiences (OOBEs) either spontaneously, during meditation, or through trauma. These can involve visiting realms often called the astral planes — layers of reality with different frequencies. This can seem similar to the NDE but there are differences. The main difference is that most (but not all) people experiencing OOBEs have set an intention to do this and are doing it consciously.
Explorers of these realms often describe:
- Meeting guides or teachers
- Visiting environments that feel more “real” than physical life
- Moving instantly through thought
- Learning about their soul’s path
However, the common thread in NDEs and OOBEs is that consciousness exists independently of the physical body and therefore can live on after death.
Moving through a tunnel or into light
A powerful sensation of motion follows, often described as travelling through a dark tunnel toward an intense but non-blinding light. The light is unlike anything on Earth but is usually described as warm, intelligent, and somehow alive and not frightening. Some people feel they are being drawn toward it, while others feel they are moving under their own will. The light is often described as the most beautiful and welcoming sight imaginable.
Not everyone who has an NDE has described a tunnel, and there are variations in what people describe including:
- Total darkness that some describe as the ‘void’ but which they also describe as very loving, peaceful and feeling like they have ‘come home’
- Arriving at a beautiful valley of flowers and describing colours that we don’t have on Earth
- Describing everything as being almost ‘made of light’ and having a consciousness that they can connect with and feels like pure love
- Some people also describe sensing a loving presence with them on this journey
A profound feeling of unconditional love
Those who reach the light often speak of being enveloped in a love so complete and accepting that it dissolves all fear and pain. They describe this love as unconditional — it doesn’t depend on what they have done or who they are, and all the NDE recollections I have listened to, say that it is nothing like anything they have ever felt on Earth, but they all recognise it. For many, this is the single most life-changing aspect of the experience, a love that feels like it comes from the very Source of all existence. Some have told about having felt this love on the other side, and then they struggle with trying to experience it again when they return to their bodies.
Meeting deceased loved ones, pets, or spiritual beings
Countless experiencers report being greeted by people they once knew who have previously died. Sometimes they describe meeting relatives they had never known existed, but later confirm their identity through family records or photographs. These reunions are filled with joy and recognition, without the limitations of physical form. Some meet pets who appear healthy, vibrant, and deeply connected to them. Others encounter spiritual guides, angels, or beings they perceive as part of their “soul family,” who offer reassurance, guidance, or a sense that “it’s not your time yet.”
Most people describe their relatives as being healthy and vibrant (more real than they feel on Earth) and appearing in their prime of life (approximately 25 – 40 years old) without any illnesses or afflictions that they suffered with on Earth.
The life review
The life review is one of the most consistent and transformative aspects of NDEs. People describe reliving moments of their life similar to a video/film playback, however, they feel that they are there again observing and feeling everything – not just what they felt, but what everyone or everything else felt and experienced too. One NDEer described feeling the pain of the cat when she pulled its tail as a toddler; another described feeling the pain of the other person when they had been mean and manipulative.
However, they all describe this not as a cold judgement, but as an immersive experience — feeling the ripple effect of their actions on others. They say that there is no divine condemnation during these life reviews, only a better understanding. And it’s not just negative things they see. Many experiencers describe it as self-judgement from the soul’s perspective. They feel their own love, kindness, and compassion reflected back and see the good they have passed on, as well as moments of hurt they may have caused, now experienced firsthand.
This deep understanding often inspires permanent change upon returning to life. Most say that material concerns lose their grip, while love, service, and kindness become central to their new life purpose.
Decision to return or being told “it’s not your time”
One of the most common themes in near-death experience accounts is a moment of decision — or the clear message — that the person must return to their earthly life. Sometimes this is a choice: they are shown the impact their continued life could have on others (such as their children or partners) or they are given a sense of unfinished work. Other times, it is more direct — they are told by a being of light, a loved one, or an inner knowing that “it’s not your time yet.”
Many describe feeling torn at this point. The peace, love, and beauty of the non-physical realm can be overwhelming, and the thought of returning to a body — especially if it is in pain or facing hardship — can feel almost unbearable. Yet, alongside this reluctance is often a deep understanding that their journey on Earth is not complete.
Some experiencers report being shown visions of possible futures, the lives they might touch, or the consequences of leaving too soon. Others say they simply trusted the guidance they received, even without full understanding. In almost every account, there is a sense that the decision to return is made with love — both for the individual and for the wider web of connections their life will influence.
Obviously, these experiences are related to those having an NDE and coming back to Earth. If you leave your body when it is ‘your time’, then we have no real evidence or experience of what comes next, other than from people who have been hypnotised, such as those working with Dolores Cannon or others. She developed “Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT),” which explores past lives and soul journeys. Her work is anecdotal and not peer-reviewed, but still hugely informative.
Channelers and spiritual traditions will speak of choosing what we want to experience next and planning our next lives with the help of guides and angels. And then it all starts again – it could be on Earth, but also, it could be anywhere in the multiverse too.
Communication in the non-physical realms
One fascinating aspect of NDEs and OOBEs is the nature of communication.
In the non-physical realm:
- Words are unnecessary — thoughts, feelings, and intentions are instantly shared via telepathy
- There is complete transparency — no lying, no masks, no misunderstandings
- Connection is instantaneous and heart-centred
When you think about this, it is a much truer form of communication. Words can mean different things and the way we say things can alter their meaning. However, feelings are understood on a different, vibrational level.
This level of openness is often described as blissful, healing, and impossible to replicate fully on Earth.
Cleansing and healing after death
Some NDErs report going through a cleansing or healing process upon arrival in the afterlife, especially after particularly traumatic lives. This is not punishment; it is more like a loving restoration of the soul’s energy.
It can take the form of:
- Resting in a cocoon of light
- Being surrounded by loving beings who “tend” to the soul
- Immersing in environments of beauty and peace until ready for the next step
Positive and ‘negative’ NDEs
The vast majority of NDEs are deeply loving and affirming, but some (approximately 10%) begin in what experiencers describe as “dark” or “frightening” states — sometimes referred to as distressing NDEs.
Often, these shift dramatically when the person remembers the light or calls out to God, Source, or love. One well-known example is Howard Storm, an atheist art professor whose NDE began in a bleak, hellish environment. When he prayed for help, a brilliant being of light appeared, lifting him into an experience of overwhelming love and compassion. His account is detailed in his book, My Descent Into Death. Storm returned to life completely transformed and later became a Christian minister.
Lesser-known stories
Beyond famous accounts, many lesser-known NDEs echo the same themes.
- Nancy Rynes, once a sceptic, was hit by a truck and experienced an expansive realm where communication was telepathic, landscapes shimmered with life, and she was taught spiritual truths about compassion and interconnection.
- Mellen-Thomas Benedict reported a panoramic view of existence itself, seeing the interwoven nature of all life and gaining insights into consciousness before returning to his body.
- Countless others describe seeing beloved pets run to greet them, or meeting members of their “soul family” they didn’t recognise from their earthly life but knew instantly at a deeper level.
The role of beliefs and expectations
Many NDE experiencers say the afterlife initially reflects their Earthly beliefs — at least until they expand beyond them. A devout Christian might first see Jesus, while a Buddhist might encounter familiar bodhisattvas.
However, these forms are often understood later as manifestations of universal love in whatever way the soul can accept when first transitioning, and in a form that will not scare or disturb the new arrival.
All NDE accounts are subjective and not universally experienced, but you can make your own mind up about the validity of what they mean to you.
The feeling of ‘home’
Perhaps the most consistent takeaway is the overwhelming sense of being home. People speak of it as more real than physical life, a place they somehow always knew existed and recognise as home.
There is no sense of loss, only reunion, relief, and joy.
What this all means and why we shouldn’t fear death
The accumulated evidence from NDEs, OOBEs, and spiritual teachings offers comfort:
- Death is not an end, but a transition
- We are greeted with love and understanding
- We continue to grow, learn, and choose our next path
- We reunite with loved ones and soul family
Yes, some experiences are initially unsettling — but they are never permanent, and they always shift when the soul aligns with love.
Perhaps the most convincing evidence for the reality of life after death is the way NDEs change people.
After returning, many experiencers:
- Lose the fear of death completely
- Value love, kindness, and connection above all else
- Reduce their interest in material gain or status
- Feel drawn to service, healing, or creative expression
- Live with greater compassion and patience
These shifts often happen regardless of prior beliefs, even among staunch atheists.
Death as a transition — not the end
I have an analogy I often use to describe our lives on Earth and the transition we call ‘death’.
Imagine life on Earth as we know it, as a grand play. Before we are born, we choose our roles, our costumes, our settings, and the things we would like to learn whilst ‘playing’ our parts on the stage (Earth). We step into our chosen role, immersing ourselves in the script.
Some scenes are joyful, others heartbreaking. Some characters challenge us, others love us without condition but they all have something to reflect to us or teach us.
And when the curtain falls on our role in the play, we step off stage, take a deep breath, and realise it was all a part we chose to play. We meet our fellow actors (our soul friends and family ) in the metaphorical “green room” afterwards (the other side) and share what we learned.
From this viewpoint, dying is like stepping out of our character and off stage, returning to the wider self that always existed beyond the current role. And like every actor worth their salt, we then want to come back and play a different role to learn more!
From the soul’s perspective, death is that moment backstage — and life after death is simply the next chapter in an eternal adventure.
If the accounts are true, and the sheer number and similarity of them are hard to dismiss, then death is nothing to fear. It is a step into a reality that is more expansive, loving, and “real” than this one.
One day, each of us will step through that gateway. I believe we will be met with love, understanding, and the recognition that we have always been eternal.
In the words of one NDEr:
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience. And when it’s over, we go home.”
If you want to find out more about this, please see some of our related posts on our website, and I recommend the following YouTube channels, which all cover NDE testimonies, or check out the research and institutions listed below:
Leading figures and institutions in NDE research
I have said that mainstream science has ignored a lot of NDE research, but the following pioneering scientists and organisations are leading the way to discover the truth. No doubt there are also others, and I hope there are, so apologies if I have missed them at this time.
Dr. Raymond Moody: Author of Life After Life (1975), and Proof of Life After Life (2023), he coined the term “near-death experience” and is considered the pioneer of modern NDE studies.
Dr. Bruce Greyson: Psychiatrist and co-founder of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). His Greyson Scale is widely used to measure NDEs.
Dr. Jeffrey Long: An oncologist and NDE researcher, and the founder of the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF), which has compiled one of the largest databases of NDE accounts in the world. His work, particularly his book Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences, is highly influential.
Dr. Pim van Lommel: Dutch cardiologist known for his 2001 Lancet study on NDEs in cardiac arrest patients. He explores consciousness beyond brain activity.
Dr. Sam Parnia: Critical care physician and researcher in resuscitation science. He leads the AWARE studies on consciousness during cardiac arrest. These are real and ongoing, but results have been mixed. Some findings suggest consciousness may persist briefly after clinical death, but definitive proof remains elusive.
Dr. Kenneth Ring: Psychologist and author of Heading Toward Omega, he studied NDEs in blind individuals and their transformative effects.
Dr. Peter Fenwick: Neuropsychiatrist who has explored NDEs and end-of-life experiences, especially in hospice settings.
Dr. Eben Alexander: A neurosurgeon whose personal NDE was detailed in his book Proof of Heaven. His story is highly significant because it came from a neurosurgeon who had previously been a sceptic, adding a new dimension to the debate.
Dr. Chris Carter: A philosopher and author known for his work on consciousness, NDEs, and the mind-body problem. He has written extensively on the scientific evidence for NDEs.
Dr. Melvin Morse: A paediatrician who conducted NDE research, particularly with children. His work on childhood NDEs is a notable contribution to the field.
Key institutions and organisations
These groups have played major roles in advancing NDE research:
International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS)
A central hub for NDE research, education, and support. Hosts conferences and publishes the Journal of Near-Death Studies.
University of Virginia – Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS)
Home to Bruce Greyson and other researchers exploring consciousness, reincarnation, and NDEs.
NYU Langone Health – Critical Care and Resuscitation Research Group
Led by Dr. Sam Parnia, this group investigates consciousness during cardiac arrest and clinical death.
University of Northampton (UK)
Known for parapsychology and consciousness studies, including NDEs and related phenomena.
The Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF): Founded by Dr. Jeffrey Long, NDERF is a critical organisation for NDE studies. Its extensive database of NDE accounts is a primary source for much of the research conducted by Dr. Long and others. It is arguably as important as IANDS as a hub for data collection and public information.
The Koestler Parapsychology Unit at the University of Edinburgh (UK): This unit is a world-renowned research centre for parapsychology and consciousness studies. While not exclusively focused on NDEs, it has contributed to the broader academic context in which NDE research is conducted in the UK and internationally.
A note on evidence and experience
While the accounts shared here from Near-Death Experiences to spiritual traditions offer profound insight and comfort, it’s important to acknowledge that much of this knowledge remains outside the bounds of conventional scientific validation. Experiences of consciousness beyond the body are deeply personal and often subjective, and while patterns across thousands of testimonies are striking, traditional science would say that they do not yet constitute empirical proof in the traditional sense. That said, the transformative impact of these experiences, their consistency across cultures, and the life changes they inspire, suggest to me, at least, that there is more to explore about the nature of consciousness and what it means to be truly alive. Science may not yet have all the tools to measure the soul, but that doesn’t mean the soul isn’t real, and you are always free and invited to make up your own mind.
Such an interesting article. Even though in our hearts we know we probably have nothing to fear after death, we somehow still fear the unknown.
There are many near death experiences that tell similar stories, but then there are others that suggest that these could be dreams or implanted in our minds from things we have heard from others. I hope this is not true and that it is a magical as it sounds from people who have experienced it. The loving peaceful feelings without pain are what we all long for.
I just wonder about those left behind that have unfinished business in the form of spirits that roam, but I guess that is also another article.
Hi Michel. Nice to see you again and I’m glad you found the article thought provoking. I am of the opinion that we are all spiritual beings and that we return to non-physical when we die, so for me, I am inspired and comforted by the stories from people who have an NDE. However, my own belief also comes from years of spiritual practice and research and I encourage everyone who is interested in these subjects to do their own reearch and find their own answers. These posts are but signposts on the way and everyone is free to come to their own conclusion. However, I do not have a fear of death in any way and I cannot ever remember a time when I did either, so I guess for me, I’d like to pass a little of that fearlessness on to others and fear limits all experiences apart from fear.
All the best in your own research and I hope to see you again soon – I have some other articles planned as part of our Big Questions series and you may also like the article on “Are ghosts and spirits real?” which may offer a few perspectives to answer your question too.
This was such an intimate and deep read, Gail. I loved how you infused your own views with those from other traditions and some NDE stories; it was such a real feeling and easy to be in touch with. The analogy of the grand play provided a vivid picture so that death does not appear as an ending but rather a gentle step into something familiar and loving.
Hello Israel. I’m so pleased you liked the article and felt that I had got the balance right between the scientific, spiritual and my own personal views. I don’t want to be ‘preachy’ in any way but I would like to open people’s eyes a little and to garner their interest so that they go and find out for themselves. The universe will respond with answers if you ask the right questions – and this is a big one!