Q88. Are the dead waiting in their graves or gone?

All the dead are neither waiting in their graves nor gone. God is very efficient, He doesn’t keep anyone waiting nor does He waste anyone. All the dead are alive right now, but in different bodies and in situations exactly according to what they deserve based on the actions they took in their life (karma). “The fact is that one who has taken birth, will certainly die. It is also a fact that, one who dies will take birth again. Therefore, you should not lament for that which is unavoidable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 2.27) Anyone can see that every second, living beings are dying and being born. This is the transmigration of the soul from one body to another. This is another simple proof of reincarnation. We can help our loved ones who have passed onto their next life, by becoming a pure devotee of Lord Krishna and asking him to take them back to the spiritual manifestation where they will live eternally with no misery. This teaching is unique to Sanatan-Dharma, in the non-Vedic religions they have absolutely no way to help those who have passed away.