Death and the Afterlife Catholic Beliefs

1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ.592  

The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul--a destiny which can be different for some and for others.593

1022 Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification (purgatory)594 or immediately, (heaven)595 -- or immediate and everlasting damnation (hell).596

 

At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.597

Taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church Second Edition 

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick-Last Rites

Definition: Last Rites is another term, very common in past centuries but rarely used today, for one of the seven sacraments, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which is administered both to the dying and to those who are gravely ill or are about to undergo a serious operation, for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength.

The sacrament was called last rites because it was (at least until recent years) usually administered when the person receiving the sacrament was in grave danger of dying. The term is sometimes more broadly used to refer to the reception of all of the Last Sacraments—Confession, Holy Communion, and the Anointing of the Sick.

http://catholicism.about.com/od/thesacraments/g/Last_Rites.htm

 More on Purgatory, Heaven, Hell, Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be added on separate pages....