Across the world, people are constantly searching for the meaning of life. One of the biggest things that determines this for a lot of people is what happens after we die. Unfortunately, death is something that will come to everyone, but many of us take comfort in the notion of what might happen after death. The beliefs surrounding this differ from religion to religion, and they’re a huge contributing factor to how people live their lives. 

Christianity

Typically speaking, Christians believe in Jesus’s resurrection and the afterlife’s existence. As a result, many believe that the moral decisions that they make on Earth are determinate of whether they go to heaven or hell upon death. However, Catholics believe that before reaching heaven, one must first endure purgatory to repent their sins. As well as this, Catholics believe that praying for the deceased can assist them in getting into heaven from purgatory. 

Islam

Death and Islam indicates that one physically dies, yet their soul lives on and faces the Angel of Death in anticipation for Judgment Day. On the day of judgment, the Quran states that honorable individuals will be granted access to Jannat, whilst sinners will be sent to Jahannam. Jannat is the Islamic idea of paradise, whereas Jahannam is the Islamic version of hell.

In order to prepare for dying, a lot of Islamic followers adhere to special rituals and other practices. For example, a prayer known as the Talqeen is recited by those who are dying in spiritual preparation for their journey into death. Upon the person dying, the ghusl will be performed. This refers to the washing of the deceased body. 

Judaism

Judaism is rather ambiguous about what happens upon death as Jews typically focus on their life on earth. Despite this, the majority of Jews believe in an afterlife, others believe in reincarnation, whilst some believe in the World to Come. This is a similar concept to heaven. 

Much like the aforementioned religions, a confession prayer is also recited in Judaism for those who are dying. Similarly, the deceased body is cleansed and prepared for burial. Subsequent to this burial, close relatives usually observe shiva in the home of the deceased, this is a seven-day mourning period. 

Buddhism

Buddhists believe that, upon death, one will be reincarnated into another body. However, there’s a believed state between death and rebirth which is known as Bardo. This is said to be a time of incredible liberation and insight. The end goal for Buddhists is to reach Nirvana; this is an end to cyclical reincarnation and a complete termination of suffering. This is why Buddhists are extremely conscious about meditating and purifying their minds, as this is what pushes them towards a complete state of enlightenment.

Ultimately, Buddhists believe that death is the beginning of a new life, making end-of-life rituals absolutely vital in sending someone off to their next life. As a result, pain medication must be refused at the end of one’s life, so that one can maintain mindfulness regarding the death process. Therefore, the patient’s friends and family may chant to soothe them as they descend into the next life. 

Hinduism

Like Buddhists, Hindus too believe in reincarnation. The dying wish of a Hindu may involve being surrounded by friends and family, chanting, reading sacred verses, praying, and singing sacred hymns. Each of these rituals is done to maintain the patient’s focus on the supreme spirit known as Brahman. Upon dying, a Hindus body will be cremated so that the ashes can be scattered in the sea to transport them to their next life.