
Concepts of the afterlife
The concept of the afterlife refers to the belief that consciousness or the essence of a person continues beyond physical death. Different cultures and religions envision this continuation in various ways—some see it as a spiritual realm like heaven or hell, others as reincarnation into new lives, or a state of peaceful existence. These beliefs offer comfort, moral framework, or understanding of life's purpose. While interpretations vary widely, the core idea is that death is not the end, but a transition to another form of existence or state of being.