But as all beings, in order to be born in a new physical body, must pass through all the highest kingdoms of the spiral, even if of course in rather elementary or latent forms, the unpleasantness will stretch only as far as the first kingdom after death and, at that, only as far as its very lowest sphere. This sphere is known on the physical plane as "purgatory" and has furthermore through superstition been called "hell". There will thus be a certain unpleasant zone for all beings with imperfections to pass through after physical death. But the "eternal fire" or "everlasting damnation" with which the primitive imagination has equipped it certainly does not exist. It can still be very unpleasant, but as the unpleasantness can exist only as effects of the individual's own mistakes, and as the unpleasantness in turn, as a supplement to physical existence, has as its mission the stimulating of the individual not to make mistakes, not to commit suicide again, not to live unnaturally (in other words, it is the guide to a perfect life or the direction towards God), and as it furthermore in the form of unpleasantness spans only a very limited sphere in relation to the whole spiritual zone, which otherwise constitutes an ocean of light and bliss, it is in its most profound analysis a divine blessing. There will therefore in reality be no justifiable basis whatsoever for mourning the unnatural death or departure to another world of friends or relatives.
      If the deceased has children or other relatives who will suffer from this death, it falls to the relatives and friends of the survivors together with society to take the place of the deceased and meet their needs. The "dead" person will thereby be brought more easily through the zone of unpleasantness – for he or she in this very zone can, up to a certain point, keep in contact with the physical plane – and so be relieved of the burden that the sight of the need and misery of those left behind, the sight of their tears, privation and despair, would be for him or her.
      To mourn over the death or transference to the spiritual world of beings is a primitive manifestation of consciousness and is thus maintained by ignorance of, or unacquaintedness with, the true facts. One thus gladdens and supports the "dead" by not mourning. Good, friendly thoughts directed towards the "dead" and a true love for those they have left behind constitute the absolutely highest or most divine "epitaph" that can possibly be given to any individual.