Life Beyond Death: what should we expect?

He died yesterday having been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer just a couple of weeks ago. I am told by friends that he was "peaceful" during his last days in this world - a result, I'm sure, of his meditation practices (he wrote several books on different meditative techniques) and also his belief that, at death, we all pass to another dimension of existence.

He was SPR president from 1995-1998, Professor of Education Psychology at the Universities of Minho and of Algarve (Portugal), and Distinguished Visiting Fellow, University of Wales, Cardiff.

David was one of the investigators who sat in the Scole circle and spoke positively in favour of the phenomena he and others experienced - though not all SPR shared his views. He was also a supporter of electronic voice phenomena (EVP) or instrumental transcommunication (ITC) as it now more commonly known, particularly the experiments of Anabela Cardoso, which he experienced during visits to her home in Spain.

Fontana, chairman of the Survival Research Committee of the SPR, has spent decades researching all things paranormal and is widely respected for the fairness and objectivity of his work. This latest book is no exception.

Essentially, it considers the question of what a world beyond physical death might actually be like, and draws on accounts of near-death experiences from patients and medical staff around the world to offer an insight into the world of eternity, finding a compelling cross-cultural uniformity in their descriptions.

A variety of circumstances surrounding the individual's state of mind at the moment of physical death are also discussed in terms of their potential effects on the passing soul. Sudden death and suicide are considered in some detail, with insights drawn from a range of traditions such as Buddhism, Shamanism and Christianity.

A chapter is dedicated to the moment of passing from the physical body, and a number of fascinating accounts are included from those who have witnessed such an event. The interesting question of whether the astral body has been sighted in the physically living is also considered in some detail.

Coverage is given to the matter of so-called earthbound spirits, the work of American psychiatrist Dr Carl Wickland and his mediumistic wife Anna being used to illustrate the difficulties such souls face, and the problems they can on occasion create for the living. Poltergeists and hauntings are also considered.

Fontana then proceeds to a discussion of the various planes of existence to which the soul, newly freed of its physical constraints, may journey. Included in this chapter is the so-called "Life Review", the process by which the soul looks at the life it has led on earth, and recognises the effects of that life on itself and others.

Reincarnation, that hot potato of Spiritualist debate, is accorded a chapter all its own. Evidence supportive of reincarnation is set out and assessed alongside the possibility that apparent memories of a past life could be accounted for by cryptomnesia - the recall of facts without any associated recall of how they were actually acquired.

The remainder of the book deals with life in the spirit world, including a discussion of the "Summerland", a world much like our own physical plane but infinitely more beautiful and free from many of the burdens which attend earthly existence. The "formlessness" of the higher realms is considered, where the soul "realises freedom from the limitations of space and time, of here and there, of objects and things".

A comprehensive list of references is given at the back of the book, providing a huge range of possible reading matter for those who wish to dig deeper into the issues covered by the author.

In Fontana's own words: "Knowledge of the afterlife and how we can prepare for it is essential. Think how foolish it would be to depart for a distant country knowing nothing about it and carrying no route map or guidebook."

As with all Fontana's work on survival, the book is painstakingly researched and well written, though perhaps would have benefited from the services of a somewhat more meticulous proofreader. It will appeal to those with an existing knowledge of afterlife research, but will also serve as a credible and readable source for those who wish to begin an open-minded exploration of the subject.

For those of us without the certainties of religious faith, this book is a positive and engaging introduction to the possibilities of the afterlife.