Kelly Hoppen: What do you believe happens when we die? — FLAPSS

The question

What do you believe happens when we die?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A recurring late-stage question in The Guardian Q&A, with materially different answers on publisher-hosted pages.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

KH

Kelly Hoppen

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I don’t know and I don’t really care, because I’ll be dead, so it won’t really matter.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Neil Gaiman Author of fiction, comics and screenplays

I like the idea of being atoms that other people can breathe in, and fabulous worm food.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 October 2023 source ↗

Charles Collingwood

When my mother died in my arms, I feel I witnessed her spirit leaving her body, so let’s just wait and see.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

We drift off to a beautiful place where we live a better, fuller life than what we’ve left.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2025 source ↗

I have never been able to become an atheist and, even though I know it is completely irrational and cannot be backed up, I think when I die I’m going to glory.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 March 2026 source ↗

More from Kelly Hoppen

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Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I had an opportunity many years ago to move to America and be given a daytime TV show. The kids were quite young and I decided not to, but looking back I wish I had done it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

I can’t bear people who lie.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

All of them. I’m not someone who can sit down and read – I wish I could.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

When my daughter and my stepdaughters were feeling unhappy, we used to pretend to unlock something in their heart and then pour golden liquid into them, and it always warmed them. For me, that’s what love feels like – a warm feeling inside.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

“Your cooking sucks” – before I learned to cook in Covid.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

My mum. I was horrendous growing up – I was always arguing with her.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

More on death & what remains

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Marina Abramović, Meghann Fahy, Marcus Mumford, Bear Grylls, Katie Melua, Charles Collingwood

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