Abstract
Eschatological images still feature in modern death rituals in the Netherlands, but it is unclear what these beliefs actually mean to participants. As a result of rationalisation and individualisation death rituals have acquired a highly personalised character. How can this personalisation be combined with beliefs in an afterlife as reflected in eschatology? In this paper I explore two eschatological images: heaven and angels. I hypothesise that these images are personalised in present-day rituals. Reflection on such beliefs could contribute to what I call personalised eschatology and could bridge the gap between personal bereavement and hope of an afterlife in contemporary ritual.

Keywords
eschatology, death ritual, personalisation, heaven, angels