I take a more pagan view on death.  I don't believe there is a Heaven or Hell, but a state of existence in this world, yet not in this world at the same time.  And I was in the line of thinking you have described in your post, for a long time, but I was introduced to this in College, and it was proven to me.  My friend's fiance was possessed by my friend's ancestor.  It was freaky, but it proved to me that we are still in this world after we die.