Going back to the thread-
According to Hinduism, both heaven and hell exist. There is graphic description of both including areas etc. in Srimad Bhagwad Purana.
'Heaven' and 'Hell' Realms exist in Buddhism also....But they are transitory places, exactly as life as a human is, or as an animal is, or as a Hungry Ghost is....merit must be accrued in each realm in order to move closer to illumination, enlightenment and Nirvana...Heaven seems the best place to be in, but even there, beings can become drunk on the sheer bliss of the place, and be distracted from their goal...so even Heaven has its drawbacks....
Just by way of an explanation, these realms are often viewed by some schools of Buddhism to be different manifestations of our varying emotional states...greed, avarice, anger, gluttony.....
. I work for Hospice and I see death everyday. In most instances it is a peaceful experience for those who are dying, although not necessarily for their loved ones.