History Main / DiedHappilyEverAfter

* Happens a couple of times in ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', most notably at the end of ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Stardust Crusaders]]'', featuring [[spoiler:the souls of Avdol, Iggy, and Kakyoin, the three Crusaders who were killed during the arc, are seen in the clouds looking down on Joseph and Jotaro]], and during the climax of ''Vento Aureo'' where [[spoiler:upon Bucciarati's HeroicSacrifice, his soul is seen rising towards Heaven, but not before holding an encouraging speech]].

* Parodied at the end of ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda''. [[spoiler:Shifu looks like he's dead from Tai Lung's attack, but when Po is alarmed he lets him know he was just "at peace with himself". After Po joins him for a moment before they decide to go get something to eat.]]

** Parodied on "'Round Springfield", where Bleeding Gums Murphy appears to Lisa in the clouds... followed by [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Mufasa]] asking [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimba_the_White_Lion#The_Lion_King_controversy "Kimba - I mean, Simba"]] to avenge him, which is followed by [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]] saying, "LukeIAmYourFather", and finally, Creator/JamesEarlJones saying "This is CNN."

* In the enemies-to-lovers fic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24261508 My Blood]]'', after Edelgard eventually dies, Rhea comes to the conclusion that she no longer has a place in the world of the living, and chooses to end her life so she can be TogetherInDeath with Edelgard and her family. The Epilogue shows her happy once more alongside the souls of her loved ones.

* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'', after killing The Boss there is a secret cutscene showing her happily reunited with The Sorrow.

* At the end of ''Series/TheGoodPlace'', the main characters have saved the world, redesigned the afterlife so it allows everyone to eventually get into the Good Place, and given all residents of the Good Place the option to go through CessationOfExistence once they've experienced enough of eternal happiness. After earning their way into the Good Place, reconciling with their loved ones and experiencing thousands of years of paradise, Jason, Chidi and Eleanor choose to walk through the door and peacefully dissolve into sparks of light.

* Darth Vader in ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' fits this trope perfectly. [[RedemptionEqualsDeath Having died]] of a HeroicSacrifice, his blue force-ghost appears before Luke, restored to the "natural" appearance he might have had if he'd stayed on the Light Side (as opposed to the crippled cyborg he became), along with Obi-Wan and Yoda (though the Blu-Ray release changed it to his appearance from Film/RevengeOfTheSith).

* The ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' Tribute Comics that comes with the pamphlets for {{The Movie}}s typically ends with a scene that shows the deceased loved ones of TheMovie [[AlternateContinuity continuity]] characters happily watching over the cast from FluffyCloudHeaven. Well, except for [[spoiler:[[TragicVillain Movie!Precia]]]], who's still feeling guilty about the things she did.

* ''Anime/WolfsRain'': [[spoiler:When Toboe dies]], we see him reunited with [[spoiler:his beloved Granny]] and running playfully in a field of flowers. [[TearJerker Talk about emotional manipulation.]]
* Happens to [[spoiler:Elenore]] in ''Anime/{{Madlax}}''. Characteristically, it also involves a boundless flower field.
* When [[spoiler:Kamina]]'s ghost shows up near the end of ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' it adheres to this trope.
* ''Manga/SailorMoon'':
** The Shitennou (Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Kunzite) from the original manga version end up this way, their smiling souls fading away while saying that they'll always watch over Endymion/Mamoru.
** In the anime version, this happens to [[QuirkyMinibossSquad the Amazon Trio]], who die but gain human souls that are allowed to dwell in Elysion afterwards.
** A common interpretation of Nehellennia's fate in the ''Stars'' season. She's seen being restored to her child self back in her court, where her subjects will now befriend her. A common fan theory is that she was given a MercyKill and this is her in the afterlife.

* Radium Lavans of ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders'' - Dolores finally manages to break free from the insanity that had gripped him since the prequel series, the spirits of Viola and Dolores helping him [[RedemptionEqualsDeath redeem himself in his last moments]]. He dies with a smile on his face.
* ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' has a sort-of example: [[spoiler:When Spike maybe-dies (it's purposely left ambiguous whether he does or not) after finally killing Vicious]], the final thing seen in the end credits is a falling star, playing this trope out against the audience.

* Optimus Prime after his HeroicSacrifice at the beginning of ''Anime/TransformersHeadmasters''.
* The ending to ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' is ambiguous about whether it's this trope or just new superpowers, but there's the possibility that [[spoiler:Homura is about to go to Heaven and be reunited with her friend Madoka]] as the series ends. The manga adaptation changes the ending to make this trope more explicit.
** ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovieRebellion'' [[spoiler:defies this trope. In fact, Homura achieves an EveryoneLives ending...[[ProtagonistJourneyToVillain but at great cost.]]]]

* In ''Anime/GunXSword'', [[spoiler:the mortally wounded Ray Lundgren]] has a vision of himself living peacefully with [[spoiler:Shino]] and dies with a smile on his face.
* The case for most heroes in the ''Manga/DragonBall'' series. Shining example is Goku's Grandpa Gohan who as we retroactively discover, was accidentally killed by Goku when he transformed into a giant ape, but later shows up just fine when he gets to spend one day back among the land of the living and see his grandson again. There's also Goku himself when he died during the Cell Saga, who talked with the others via a telepathic message to let them know that even though he was dead he was perfectly okay. Of course in his case he (eventually) [[DeathIsCheap wound up coming back]].
* Kikyou's death in ''Manga/InuYasha''. Kikyou is one of the few characters who proved to be an actual threat to Naraku, making her one of his main targets. Unfortunately, Naraku eventually gets the upper hand and drives her into a corner and finally deals a fatal blow to the priestess. During her final moments, she visited her sister, Kaede, in spirit form, and apologizes for the suffering she has caused her and shares a final kiss with her former lover, Inuyasha. She then exclaims that she's finally become what she always wanted, an ordinary woman, and her soul leaves her fake body and embraces all present as if saying farewell.
* The ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' Tribute Comics that comes with the pamphlets for {{The Movie}}s typically ends with a scene that shows the deceased loved ones of TheMovie [[AlternateContinuity continuity]] characters happily watching over the cast from FluffyCloudHeaven. Well, except for [[spoiler:[[TragicVillain Movie!Precia]]]], who's still feeling guilty about the things she did.
* This is how the ''Anime/{{Witchblade}}'' anime ends. [[spoiler:The titular weapon ultimately claims Masane's life, but first she is able to tie up all the loose ends in her life and secure a safe and happy future for her daughter. Then she goes out in a blaze of glory destroying the I-weapons and the remaining Cloneblades, ensuring the villains will never be able to threaten her legacy.]]
* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon'' features an episode in which a Stoutland who had served as mentor to what would ultimately become [[TheWoobie Ash's Litten]] dies of old age. It simply disappears, leaving its pupil distraught and looking for it until they come to realize what has happened. Ash manages to snap Litten out of its depression and catches it. At the end of the episode, Stoutland is seen in the clouds walking beside a rainbow.
* ''Literature/FateZero'': As he dies, humiliated, driven to almost kill the woman he loves, having failed to save the child for whom he entered the Holy Grail War, Kariya Matou hallucinates that he succeeded in saving both Tohsaka girls and has escaped with Aoi... as he's being devoured by his father's insect familiars.
* Happens a couple of times in ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', most notably at the end of ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Stardust Crusaders]]'', featuring [[spoiler:the souls of Avdol, Iggy, and Kakyoin, the three Crusaders who were killed during the arc, are seen in the clouds looking down on Joseph and Jotaro]], and during the climax of ''Vento Aureo'' where [[spoiler:upon Bucciarati's HeroicSacrifice, his soul is seen rising towards Heaven, but not before holding an encouraging speech]].
* In ''Manga/ChainsawMan'', despite [[spoiler:all the shit he goes through and the [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie absolutely]] [[ShootTheShaggyDog horrific]] nature of his death, Aki Hayakawa is shown to find genuine peace in the hereafter, being reunited with his deceased family and finally getting to play that game of catch with his younger brother]].

* Scrooge's parents in ''ComicBook/TheLifeAndTimesOfScroogeMcDuck''. His mother Downy O'Drake passes away sometime during the events of Chapter 8, and his father Fergus [=McDuck=] dies at the end of Chapter 9. However, the two's spirits are shown being reunited and bid one last farewell to their children as they take off for Duckburg, before departing to the afterlife.

* Two of Creator/OscarWilde fairy tales end in this way: ''Literature/TheHappyPrince'' and ''Literature/TheSelfishGiant'', both of which conclude with the souls of the main characters being taken to Heaven. Considering how cynical Wilde's fairy tales were, this is the closest thing they could get to a happy ending.

* Mufasa in ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}'' does this to Simba, albeit also to [[SpiritAdvisor give him counsel]] to face Scar.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'', [[spoiler:Ray]]'s shockingly not a DisneyDeath is softened when it is revealed [[spoiler:that [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence he became a star]] and is now united with Evangeline.]]
* Zack and Aeris of ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren''.
* The eponymous character in ''WesternAnimation/CorpseBride'', who turns into a group of butterflies when she is finally freed by Barkis' death.
* [[spoiler:Doc Hudson]] in ''WesternAnimation/Cars2''.
* [[spoiler:[[Creator/LeonardNimoy King Kashekhim Nedakh]]]], and to a much lesser extent, the former Queen of Atlantis from ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire''.
* Invoked in ''WesternAnimation/KuboAndTheTwoStrings'': Even after [[spoiler:Kubo is reunited with his parents right before they both die]], Kubo declares that, so long as his memory of them lives with him and is passed down, their story still has a happy ending.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}'' after [[spoiler:Mordu]] is killed in the climax, the spirit of his human self appears to bow to Merida before disappearing into the afterlife - implying the prince is at peace now.
* Happens to [[spoiler:the title character]] in ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'', who passes away shortly after the film's climax and is welcomed in the afterlife by the dead family members.
* This seems to be the ultimate fate of the dead stitchpunks in ''WesternAnimation/{{Nine}}''.
* At the end of ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfMarkTwain,'' Twain dies ''awesomely'' ever after by [[spoiler:first merging with his dark side, and then [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence Ascending To A Higher Plane Of Existence]] by ''actually becoming part of Halley's Comet.'' His smiling face appears in its celestial ripples to bid the three {{Tag Along Kid}}s farewell.]]
** In the 1944 original, Twain is called away by Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and they walk down the road to heaven together while Halley's Comet zooms by overhead.

%%* ''Film/TeenagersFromOuterSpace''.
* Getting to this trope is the entire goal of every soul in ''Film/DefendingYourLife''. If they fail, they get reincarnated to try life again. Apparently, the only way to succeed is to live completely without fear.

* In ''Film/TheHaunting1999'', Eleanor dies confronting the ghost of Hugh Crain, who kept the spirits of the children he killed imprisoned in the house. He is banished to Hell, and her spirit joins those of the children as they all float up to Heaven.
* Parodied at the end of ''Film/HappyGilmore''. After he gets his grandma's house back, he escorts her back to the house, and we see the ghost of his father, [[spoiler:his tutor and the crocodile that took his hand]] in a bluish ghost form, waving happily at him. Oh, and [[HistoricalHilarity Abraham Lincoln]].
* The "monster" from ''Film/HomeSweetHome2005'' who kidnapped May's young son, turns out to be a mentally insane woman who lose her family years ago, and is seeking to steal the child to replace her own deceased boy. By the end of the film, she finally snapped out of her madness, realized her family is truly dead, and ultimately took a plunge off a balcony so that she can join her husband and son TogetherInDeath.
* Variation: Since [[spoiler:the wife is one of the trapped ghosts]] in the remake of ''Film/Thir13enGhosts'', she leaves the destroyed mansion with the others in the end. She's still quite a ragged sight from the "burned to death" thing but becomes beautiful again [[EverythingFades as she fades away]].
* The film of the musical ''Film/ReeferMadness'' plays this one for laughs. The hero's girlfriend Mary Lane, ingenue of ingenues, is sent to Hell for [[CantGetAwayWithNuthin being tricked into smoking pot once,]] and subsequently turning into a sex-crazed dominatrix. The hero eventually destroys the demon weed, which sends Mary back to FluffyCloudHeaven. The hero then asks her to wait for him. "One day I'll get cancer, or hit by a train!" She's overjoyed at the idea.
* Depending on your interpretation of the ending, this seems to be the final fate of [[spoiler:Ofelia]] in ''Film/PansLabyrinth''. [[TearJerker It is still pretty sad to watch, though.]]
* ''Film/HocusPocus'': Thackery Binx and Emily both appear in death at the end.
* In an alternate ending to ''Film/FourteenOhEight'', [[spoiler:Mike dies burning down room 1408, but reunited with his dead daughter. The final version just has him getting back together with his estranged wife.]]

* At the end of the ''Film/LesMiserables2012'' film, Valjean dies knowing that his daughter is happy with her husband, and is led smiling into the afterlife by Fantine, where all the characters who died in the film sing happily on a giant barricade.
* During the final battle of ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'', Draco tells his friend Bowen to kill him because it's the only way to truly defeat King Einon. After much hesitation Bowen does so, and afterwards Draco's body vanishes in a ball of light as his soul ascends into the Dragon's Heaven, (the constellation Draco) where Brother Gilbert's closing narration states that in times of trouble Draco's star shined out with particular brightness as he watched over his friends and their subjects.
* In the Serbian film ''Film/{{Underground}}'' the various main characters fall victim to mostly violent deaths in either of the world wars or the Balkan conflicts. The final scene shows all the characters reunited in a bucolic feast. As they party, the ground around their table breaks away and drifts into the ocean, symbolizing their trip into the afterlife (as well as symbolize the film's theme of balkanization).
* In ''Film/LilyaFourEver'', after Lilya kills herself to escape a life of forced prostitution, she and her young friend Volodya (who committed suicide earlier in the film) appear as angels playing basketball.
* ''Film/ShadowsOfForgottenAncestors'': Played ambiguously. As Ivan stumbles into the forest, mortally wounded, he senses [[TheLostLenore Marichka's ghost]] walking nearby and begins to smile. She reaches out to touch him, and he screams, dying. Whether he's happily reunited at last with Marichka is up to the viewer.

* [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] and ultimately [[AvertedTrope averted]] in the Discworld novel ''{{Literature/Hogfather}}''; Death runs across an {{Expy}} of The Little Match Girl and is horrified by the situation, not because of the fact of her death (that's [[AnthropomorphicPersonification his thing]], after all) but because it's supposedly sentimental and an integral part of the "Hogswatch spirit."
** For the most part, the eventual fate of those who die in Discworld novels is ambiguous, as Death accompanies them to a desert they must cross, and the readers never see what awaits them on the other side (though it's implied that it's whatever they ultimately expect/deserve). There is one exception; the golem Anghammarad in ''Literature/GoingPostal'' decides [[IChooseToStay not to cross it at all]], as he spent 19,000 years of his existence trying to deliver a message (and willing to wait for time to start over to complete his task), and having no further orders to follow is bliss.
--->'''Anghammarad:''' This is perfect. I am free.
* Oscar Wilde's Literature/TheHappyPrince ends with the prince and the swallow in heaven.
* "[[http://www.bartleby.com/17/3/16.html The Angel]]" ''starts'' with a child's death.
* [[spoiler:Ella and Drum]] in ''Literature/ShadesChildren'', possibly.

* ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' ends on this trope. In ''The Last Battle'', after finding themselves in a new, perfected version of Narnia, the heroes from all the previous books, [[spoiler:except Susan]], are informed that they are in fact dead, but they're happy with this. (They were afraid they would be sent back into their own world as they had after all their other adventures.)
* One of the ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' books, ''The Ghost Next Door'', [[spoiler: ends with the heroine ascending into heaven, having saved someone from a terrible fate that she herself had met before]].
* ''Literature/TheLovelyBones'' ends with Susie moving from the in-between into heaven after she completely accepts her death.

* ''Literature/{{Atonement}}'' by Ian [=McEwan=] plays with this. The film has a straighter use of the trope.

* In ''Literature/{{Croak}}'', the Afterlife pretty much rocks. You get to hang out with dead presidents, pull pranks on Creator/EdgarAllanPoe, and build roller coasters.
* The bittersweet ending of ''[[Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy Mistborn: The Hero of Ages]]''. Survivors of the apocalypse[[note]]its final stage, interrupted in the middle, to be precise; the previous millennium turned out to be the first stages that lasted that long thanks to the actions of [[spoiler:the resident BigBad AntiVillain]][[/note]] emerge out of their shelter to find dead bodies of [[spoiler:the central characters -- Vin and Elend --]] and a letter from the new god -- Harmony, [[spoiler:formerly known as Sazed]]. The letter says that while he is a god that rebuilt the world, he still cannot resurrect the dead, but he assures the readers that those two are happy in the place where they are.
* Possibly the final fate of [[spoiler:all the main characters]] in Keri Hulme's ''Literature/TheBonePeople'', depending on how the ending is interpreted.
* Metaphorically it takes place in ''Literature/FiveLittlePigs'': the actions of the hateful WomanScorned cause the death of the happy (if often dysfunctional) married couple, but she herself admits that she failed to ruin their love for one another and in the end they "both escaped - they went somewhere where I couldn’t get at them".
* ''A Royal Fairy Tale'' is a children's picture book released after Princess Diana died. The book talks about how Diana was a FriendToAllChildren, and the final page says she'll now look after the children "up here" - accompanied by an illustration of Diana in {{Heaven}} as a winged angel.
* ''Literature/TheLittleMatchGirl'' dies from exposure in the snow on New Year's Eve. From her perspective, this counts as a happy ending as she gets to be reunited with her beloved grandmother in {{Heaven}} and doesn't have to suffer anymore in [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth this sinful earth]]. For those left behind who realize how unnecessary and preventable the DeathOfAChild was, however, it's an EsotericHappyEnding at best.

* Two words: ''Series/ColdCase''. Plays it quite straight.

* The entire point of ''Series/GhostWhisperer''.

* [[spoiler:Samantha Mulder]] reassures Mulder that she is fine (but dead) with a hug during season 7 of ''Series/TheXFiles''.
* ''Series/RobinHood'' of the recent BBC television show dies at the end of the series but in his last moments is rejoined by the spirit of his wife Marian (murdered at the end of season two) who promises him that: "the greatest adventure is yet to come."
* Lieutenant Ken Shea dies in the series finale of ''Series/RescueMe'', but the crew stays together, Tommy is finally happy with his life, and Lou's "ghost" becomes the first one that doesn't horribly abuse Tommy.
* In season 5 in ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', Sam and Dean are sent to heaven. (They get better.) There, they find [[spoiler:Ash, who had died a few seasons earlier.]] He's quite happy to see them and is enjoying himself living in his favorite place and getting to meet all kinds of other dead famous people.
** In season 15, [[spoiler: they die again, this time permanently, Dean on a hunt and Sam decades later of old age. Dean learns from their long-dead surrogate father, Bobby, that everyone else they've loved and lost is also there, and happily reunites with Sam when he arrives.]]

* [[spoiler:Naminé and Roxas]] in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'', although it's less "death" and more [[spoiler:re-assimilation back into their original selves where they continue to live on in their hearts]]. [[spoiler:Either way, both of them are definitively BackFromTheDead by the end of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'']].
* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'', after killing The Boss there is a secret cutscene showing her happily reunited with The Sorrow.

* [[spoiler:Jin from ''VideoGame/{{Cyberbots}}'']] in his ending in ''[[VideoGame/CapcomVs Marvel Vs. Capcom]]''.
* [[spoiler:Kulkumatz]] in the ending of ''VideoGame/TheReconstruction''.
* In ''VideoGame/TheSims2'', if your Sim makes it to old age, and reaches the end of his/her life in a good mood, with platinum aspiration, rather than "just dying", the GrimReaper comes to their home with [[ALadyOnEachArm two beautiful hula dancers]], wearing a lei, and gives them a tropical drink before taking their luggage as they eagerly join him on a [[UnusualEuphemism permanent vacation]]. They also get a much nicer tombstone.
* The end of ''VideoGame/DeadlyPremonition'' shows that all of the murder victims [[spoiler:now reside peacefully in a "spiritual Greenvale", having [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence become Goddesses]]. Emily in particular, given that [[TogetherInDeath she has York.]]]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Runescape}}'': Implied for the [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampiric]] Vyrewatch when their corpses are [[DueToTheDead cremated]], freeing their spirits.
-->'''Examine text:''' The graceful transition of a troubled spirit to a peaceful end.
* ''VideoGame/{{Pinstripe}}'' ends with [[spoiler:Ted and Bo reuniting with Bo's mother in Heaven, which is an idyllic version of their hometown]].
* In ''VideoGame/MiddleEarthShadowOfWar'', this is [[spoiler:Talion]]'s final fate.
-->'''Shelob:''' Death came. Death to Sauron. Death to his dominion. And death to [[spoiler:Talion]], who walked out of darkness and found freedom.

* Similarly to the aforementioned ''Trials and Tribulations'' example (in which the deceased are drawn in a sketchbook), after [[spoiler:Kotonoha is DrivenToSuicide]] in one of ''VisualNovel/SchoolDays'''s endings, [[spoiler:her little sister Kokoro leaves a drawing depicting her as an angel in FluffyCloudHeaven at her grave]].

* Parodied in ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja,'' at [[http://web.archive.org/web/20070316081126/http://drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=52&issue=5 the end of the D.A.R.E. arc]]. While Benjamin Franklin's clone is a character in the comic, Doc wistfully thanks the memory of founding father Benjamin Franklin for designing the Constitution in such a way that would prevent the president from becoming too powerful. The image of Franklin in the clouds appears to correct him, saying that he wasn't responsible for that part.
** Also shows up later on [[http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/21p47/ during the Futures Saving arc]] with [[spoiler:Dan & Mitzi performing a HeroicSacrifice together]].

* After his HeroicSacrifice the titular hero of ''Webcomic/ItsWalky'' has a joyful reunion in the afterlife with his old friends and comrades. [[spoiler:Even though he's just passing through.]] In fact, more friends keep arriving all the time, signifying that the final battle against the Martians is still going on.
* Played with in ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'', the dead heroes are shown to be concerned at first because the BigBad is still active and their friends who are still alive are in trouble, but pretty shortly they relax because they no longer ''have'' to worry and basically gain the opportunity to build a sort of mutual afterlife with all the dead versions of themselves and their friends from other potential timelines. That is of course [[spoiler:until Lord English enters the happy afterlife they've built together, double-murders it's inhabitants and proceeds to destroy it so thoroughly that the only remaining evidence is a pulsing crack in space and time]].
** Oh, and [[spoiler:just because ''you'' died happily doesn't mean ''everyone'' did, and some of these angsty teens have been stewing in grudges and insanity for billions of years (see Damara, who wants to work with Lord English so she can watch her "friends" become DeaderThanDead (again (permanently)))]].

* ''Webcomic/DresdenCodak'' gives us Onald Creely, the regret salesman who had the R in his first name withheld as payment for his parents' hospital fees. As he's dragged off by the might-have-beens, Kimiko tears off the R badge on her school jacket and hands it to him. We see him smiling as he is taken away.

* ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether'': Parodied in "The Lemon AIDS Walk". After getting addicted to steroids, Captain Hero befriends fellow addict Popeye, who eventually dies from AIDS he contracted from sharing steroid needles, and asks Hero to get clean for him as his dying wish. Hero does this by getting clean and "winning" the AIDS walk (by injuring and killing most of the other participants), and claiming the AIDS quilt as a trophy. He tributes the victory to Popeye, and sees his image in the clouds. His reaction?
-->'''Hero:''' Who the hell is that asshole?!
* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack''; the titular monster from "Jack and the Lava Monster" was a Viking king cursed with immortality by Aku seeking a mighty warrior to grant him an honorable death. Jack obliges, and the Viking thanks him before [[GoOutWithASmile smiling]] as the Valkyries take him on to Valhalla.

Occasionally overlaps with AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence. Very likely to occur with two people who are TogetherInDeath as well as GhostReunionEnding. Compare WingedSoulFliesOffAtDeath, AfterlifeWelcome and DontFearTheReaper. Contrast GoOutWithASmile, DyingAsYourself, and AfterlifeAngst.

* ''LightNovel/FateZero'': As he dies, humiliated, driven to almost kill the woman he loves, having failed to save the child for whom he entered the Holy Grail War, Kariya Matou hallucinates that he succeeded in saving both Tohsaka girls and has escaped with Aoi... as he's being devoured by his father's insect familiars.

* ''[[Anime/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon Sun and Moon]]'' features an episode in which a Stoutland who had served as mentor to what would ultimately become [[TheWoobie Ash's Litten]] dies of old age. It simply disappears, leaving its pupil distraught and looking for it until they come to realize what has happened. Ash manages to snap Litten out of its depression and catches it. At the end of the episode, Stoutland is seen in the clouds walking beside a rainbow.

* The film of the musical ''Film/ReeferMadness'' plays this one for laughs. The hero's girlfriend Mary Lane, ingenue of ingenues, is sent to Hell for [[CantGetAwayWithNuthin being tricked into smoking pot once,]] and subsequently [[DeathBySex turning into a sex-crazed dominatrix]]. The hero eventually destroys the demon weed, which sends Mary back to FluffyCloudHeaven. The hero then asks her to wait for him. "One day I'll get cancer, or hit by a train!" She's overjoyed at the idea.

'''WARNING: DeathTrope. Spoilers Abound!'''

* Darth Vader in ''Franchise/StarWars'' fits this trope perfectly. [[RedemptionEqualsDeath Having died]] of a HeroicSacrifice, his blue force-ghost appears before Luke, restored to the "natural" appearance he might have had if he'd stayed on the Light Side (as opposed to the crippled cyborg he became), along with Obi-Wan and Yoda.

''WesternAnimation/MonsterHouse'' When Nebbercracker's house is blown up, the concrete entombing his wife breaks. Finally freed, she dances for joy, bids her husband goodbye and fades away.

* A ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' omake shows Hohenheim and Trisha happily reuniting.
** Not to mention that when [[spoiler:Hohenheim dies for real, he has a smile on his face]].
** Furthermore, [[spoiler:Izumi and Wrath]] are reunited in TheMovie of [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist the 2003 anime adaptation]].