What about Hell?  Is the deceased being punished for their sins?

Although NDErs sometimes report distressing experiences involving feelings of powerlessness, isolation, torment, or worthlessness, such reports are much less frequent than reports of pleasurable NDEs.  These points are probably most relevant to people experiencing grief and loss:

• During a predominantly pleasurable NDE, usually while in the light, the NDEr may experience a life review.  In this review, the NDEr typically re-views (sees again) and reexperiences every moment of his/her life.  At the same time, the NDEr fully experiences being every other person with whom the NDEr interacted.  The NDEr knows what it was to be on the receiving end of his/her own actions including those that caused others pain.  At this time, the NDEr usually reports feeling profound remorse, along with extreme regret that the harm cannot be undone.  At the same time, the NDEr typically reports feeling consistent unconditional love from the light who communicates that the NDEr was still learning how to be a more loving person what NDErs tend to say is the purpose of life.
• Some people report having had a mostly distressing experience involving overriding feelings of terror, isolation, and/or torment.  Even though the experience itself was unpleasant at the time, most distressing NDEs, like more pleasurable NDEs, led experiencers to report that the NDE transformed their lives and values in very constructive ways.  Typically, people with distressing NDEs ultimately express appreciation for having had the experience.
• It can also be helpful to note that a psychospiritual descent into hell has been the experience of saints and sages throughout history and across cultures.  Every world religion has its mystics who seek ultimate wisdom.  Current research also has explored the realms of altered states of consciousness.  It can be comforting to know that the evidence from both the mystics and the researchers indicates that, whatever the experiences along the way, the ultimate condition of consciousness is one of peace.