Hi Shoani and Sandy,
I have a male friend who attempted suicide to the point his heart stopped, along with his breathing for 2 or 3 minutes before the paramedics resuscitated him. We spoke about it after a loved one of mine comitted suicide and I wondered where he 'was' now.
Anyway, my friend went on to describe how he saw his mum and his uncle 'on the other side' and felt that he didn't want to leave them when he was 'brought back' At the time I admit to getting a bit of comfort from that in the light of my then recent circumstances. I doubted it was really true though but believe that HE really felt that he had had that experience. When I asked him if he thought it could have been a dream, he said it couldn't have been because he was technically dead at the time.
In fact, the truth is that even though someone is technically dead because they are flat-lining and have respiratory failure, The brain is not really dead for quite a bit after that. Deterioration under normal circumstances does not really start till about 4 mins after circulation stops (there are always exceptions tho) People have been resuscitated as long as 8 mins after the machines stop detecting, without adverse effects on recovery, 16-20 mins if drowed in very very cold water (slows deterioration)
Anyway, my point is that the body tissues and fluids hold enough reserves to keep the brain going long enough for the subconscience to continue even though there are no outward vital signs. It is said that the 'hearing is the last thing to 'go' which is why we were always very respectful about what we said when performing 'last offices' on a dead person. Now, if the person is successfully resuscitated, then there is a very good chance they will retain a thought pattern of what was going on in their minds. I have to say also, on a personal note, that the couple of near-deaths I've had, there was nothing of real note I could remember or comment on other than hearing sounds but not being able to distinguish where they came from or what they were.
I would still go with the scripture. Hope that helps in some way
Angie