The idea that the soul remains in the body for three days after death is an ancient belief, present in various cultures and religions. Some spiritual traditions claim that during this time, the soul adjusts to its departure, observes what is happening around it, and bids farewell to loved ones. But what does science say about this? Is there any evidence of consciousness after death?
Below, we explore both the spiritual perspective and the most recent scientific findings about what happens in the moments following death.
The “3 Days” Belief: A Spiritual Transition
Many traditions maintain that the soul needs a transition period to fully detach from the physical body:
In Tibetan Buddhism, there is talk of the bardo, an intermediate state that can last up to 49 days, but where the first few days are crucial for the soul to understand that it has died.
In Judaism, it is believed that the soul lingers in the body for three days before beginning its journey to the afterlife.
In some Latin American folk beliefs, it is said that “the soul doesn’t know it has died” and remains near the living for a short time, especially if death was sudden.
These interpretations, although symbolic, have one thing in common: the soul needs time to detach itself and accept its new state.
And what does science say about consciousness after death?
Science cannot speak of the “soul” as a spiritual entity, but it has begun to study what happens to consciousness and brain activity after cardiac arrest. What they have discovered is surprising:
1. Consciousness can last for a few minutes after clinical death
Recent studies have shown that some people who have suffered cardiac arrest and were resuscitated clearly remember what happened during those minutes. They report seeing their body from outside, hearing voices, or feeling a great peace. Science has begun to refer to this as near-death experiences (NDEs).
2. Brain Activity After Death
