Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg

What happens to you when you die? That's the big question Fannie Flagg tackles in her latest novel, and she uses the kind-hearted inhabitants of Elmwood Springs to address this debate. After 80-something Elner Shimfissle falls off her ladder, she's brought to the hospital where she finds herself floating down hallways and into elevators that go in every direction, including sideways, thus embarking on her journey to Heaven. And in keeping with her personality, she has a lot of questions for her maker. At the same time, Elner's worrywart niece Norma and Norma's loving and loyal husband Macky are at her side. The news of her accident spreads through the town like wildfire, and each resident reflects on Elner and how she touched their lives. Elner was a mother and grandmother all rolled into one for Luther Griggs, who has no parents to speak of. ~more review

Near-death experiences (NDEs) 

Although some dying people report seeing angels and other religious figures (and sometimes even mythical figures), the vast majority claim to see familiar people who had previously passed away.

Very often, the friends and relatives seen in these visions express directly that they have come to help take them away.

The dying person is reassured by the experience and expresses great happiness with the vision. Contrast this with the confusion or fear that a non-dying person would experience at seeing a "ghost." The dying also seem quite willing to go with these apparitions.

The dying person's mood - even state of health - seems to change. During these visions, a once depressed or pain-riddled person is overcome with elation and momentarily relieved of pain... until death strikes.

These experiencers do not seem to be hallucinating or to be in an altered state of consciousness; rather, they appear to be quite aware of their real surroundings and conditions.

Whether or not the dying person believes in an afterlife is irrelevant; the experience and reactions are the same. ~about paranormal

"The characters are endearing, the story is engaging. Good triumphs over evil, mostly....The book is not perfect....But on the whole it's a comforting and sometimes thought-provoking read, especially for those interested in end-of-life scenarios and issues." Dallas-Ft. Worth Star Telegram