After Death?

Will anything of us survive after death? This question is a central concept when we ask what life means. Throughout history, societies and their cultures, in particular their religions and philosophies, have done what they could to guide and sustain people as they moved towards this destination and as they mourned. In societies which are in some sense secular this official sort of comfort has become less accessible, many things which in the past have been taught with some authority and believed with some assurance have become incredible to many. Much of what has been taught in the religious institutions seems plainly wrong and much of what has been believed by the public seems merely sentimental.