Jul 08, 2025

What Happens When We Die?

A Slightly Funny, Mostly True Guide to the End of the Line

by Darrell Griffin, president of PureAudacity.com

Let’s be honest: death doesn’t usually make the party playlist. It’s awkward, mysterious, and—unless you’re a vampire—kind of inevitable. But what if we stopped whispering about it and started talking about it like grown-ups with a sense of humor?

Because here’s the truth: dying is not always dramatic. It’s often quiet. Sometimes weird. Occasionally beautiful. And if you’re lucky, it comes with warm blankets, good company, and someone who knows how to make tea.

So whether you’re planning ahead, supporting someone you love, or just morbidly curious (no judgment), here’s your slightly funny, mostly true guide to what happens when we die—body, mind, and soul.

😬 First, Let’s Admit It: Dying Can Feel a Little Scary

Even if you believe in Heaven, reincarnation, or becoming one with the cosmic jellyfish, death still feels... big. Unknown. Like walking into a room you’ve never seen, with the lights off, and no one’s come back to tell you what’s in there.

And that’s fair. We’re wired to fear what we don’t understand. But maybe the fear isn’t about death itself—it’s about the silence around it. No Yelp reviews. No TripAdvisor stars. Just mystery.

But here’s the thing: mystery doesn’t mean misery. It just means we’re standing at the edge of something bigger than we can see.

🧠 The Mind: Logging Off, One Tab at a Time

As the body slows down, the brain starts closing tabs like a laptop that’s had enough.

The Great Fade-Out

People sleep more. They talk less. But hearing? That sticks around. So yes, your grandma might still hear you confess to stealing her cookies in 1997. Choose your words wisely.

Surprise Guests

Many people report seeing loved ones who’ve already passed. Some see angels. Some see beaches. Some see their dog. It’s like the soul gets a sneak peek at the afterparty.

The Brain’s Final Firework

Some studies show a last burst of brain activity right before death. It’s like your neurons throw one last rave before the lights go out. Go out with a bang, right?

🫀 The Body: Gracefully Ghosting

The body doesn’t slam the door—it just quietly exits the group chat.

Pulse slows
Blood pressure drops
Hands and feet get cold (perfect excuse for fuzzy socks)

It’s not painful. It’s just the body saying, “I’ve done my part. I’m out.”

🫁 Breathing: The Jazz Improv Phase

Breathing gets creative near the end.

Cheyne-Stokes breathing: Deep breaths, then pauses. It’s like the lungs are composing a farewell haiku.
The “death rattle”: A gurgling sound caused by secretions. Sounds spooky, but it’s not uncomfortable. Just the body being dramatic one last time.

🧍 Physical Signs: The Great Unwinding

The body starts to let go—literally.

Muscles relax
Skin may look blotchy or pale
Appetite disappears (finally, a guilt-free pass on kale)

This is all normal. The body is winding down like a record player at the end of a long, soulful song.

🌡️ Temperature and Touch: The Thermostat Gets Moody

The body’s internal thermostat goes rogue.

Some people feel cold
Others get warm
Everyone appreciates a cozy blanket and a hand to hold

Even small comforts—lip balm, a cool cloth, a whispered “I’m here”—can mean everything.

🧘 Emotional and Spiritual Shifts: The Soul Gets Reflective

As the body slows, the soul often steps forward like, “Okay, my turn.”

People may withdraw
Some reflect on their lives
Others radiate a strange, peaceful glow (no, not from the nightlight)

This is a sacred time. You don’t need to say anything profound. Just be there. Bonus points if you bring snacks.

⚡ The Moment of Death: The Quiet Exit

One moment, the body is alive. The next, it’s still. No thunderclap. No dramatic gasp. Just... stillness.

The heart stops
Breathing ceases
The brain powers down

And yet, many people describe the room feeling lighter. Like something invisible and beautiful just slipped out the door. (Probably humming.)

✨ The Soul: Now Boarding for the Afterlife

For believers, this is where the real adventure begins.

What Is the Soul?

The soul is the real you—your thoughts, your love, your Spotify playlists. In Christian belief, it’s the breath of God within us. Genesis 2:7 says, “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” Translation: you’re not just a meat suit.

Where Does the Soul Go?

According to Scripture, the soul returns to God. As Paul wrote, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Heaven isn’t just clouds and harps—it’s reunion, restoration, and joy. And probably better coffee.

🌍 A Tapestry of Belief: Everyone’s Got a Theory

Across the world, people have different ideas about what happens next:

Islam: The soul awaits Paradise
Hinduism: Rebirth until liberation
Buddhism: Freedom from suffering
Judaism: A world to come
Spiritual seekers: Cosmic evolution, soul groups, or becoming one with the universe

Even non-religious folks often believe in legacy, memory, or energy that lives on. Everyone, in some way, hopes that death isn’t the end of the story.

🌅 Why We Believers Believe the Afterlife Is Even Better

Let’s be honest—life is beautiful, but it’s also full of stubbed toes, taxes, and awkward small talk. So yes, we believe the afterlife is better. Here’s why:

No more pain, grief, or dentist appointments
Reunion with loved ones (and maybe your dog)
Wholeness restored—no more broken hearts or bad knees
A deeper, richer reality
Perfect love, perfect peace, and no Wi-Fi passwords

And here’s the clincher:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” —Hebrews 11:1

Faith isn’t wishful thinking. It’s confidence in what we can’t yet see. And for those of us who believe, death isn’t a dead end—it’s a doorway. A passageway to real life. The kind that doesn’t expire, ache, or need caffeine to function.

💬 How to Be Present at the End (Without Freaking Out)

Being with someone at the end of life isn’t about having the right words—it’s about showing up with love (and maybe snacks for the caregivers). Here’s how to help:

1. Set the Mood