What happens after death?

The question of what happens after death is a deeply existential and philosophical inquiry that has engaged humanity for millennia. It pertains to the fate of individual consciousness or existence once the physical body ceases to function. Answers to this question vary widely across different cultural, religious, and philosophical traditions. Many religious beliefs posit an afterlife, where the soul or consciousness endures beyond death, often with consequences based on one’s actions in life. Specific afterlife concepts include heaven, hell, reincarnation, and the idea of merging with a universal consciousness. However, secular and atheistic perspectives often view death as the cessation of consciousness, leading to non-existence. This question of the afterlife is deeply intertwined with cultural, religious, and personal beliefs, and it remains a matter of profound contemplation and debate.