Some Reflections On Death II

(Flandry kills a Merseian and thus rescues Kossara Vymezal who will later be martyred so this image is relevant to the post.)

Poul Anderson wrote historical fiction, detective fiction, science fiction and fantasy. In fantasy, a hereafter is a valid fictional premise whereas all other fiction reflects experience to the extent that some characters believe that there is a hereafter whereas others do not and the question remains open. Thus, in Anderson's A Knight Of Ghosts And Shadows, a futuristic sf novel:

Kossara is murdered;

her co-religionists believe that she is in Heaven and even canonize her;

however, her bereaved fiancee remains skeptical.

In this respect, a futuristic novel does not differ from a contemporary novel - unless, of course, it presents a scientific rationale for continuation of consciousness after death, but usually they do not.  In a fantasy, which this not, St. Kossara might actively have intervened in subsequent events.