Africans universally hold that life is sacred and that every person has a right to proper treatment and care in life and death. This belief in the sanctity of life extends beyond the living; many Africans also maintain that the dead deserve such respectful treatment from the living. The profound and deeply interconnected nature of African cultural views, where the deceased are not forgotten but remain part of the community, is a testament to the depth and complexity of these beliefs.

While there are differences among African cultures in their treatment of the sick and the dead, some ethnic groups, like the Igbos in Southeast Nigeria, not only care for the ill and dying within the homestead but also bury the dead in a grave within their homes. This practice reflects the idea that the dead are part of the community; the deceased's soul must remain "home" to "live" with the living and protect them. This concept brings with it duties and responsibilities.

In Africa, life is not only sacred but also comes with responsibilities. Causing harm to fellow human beings is strongly condemned. Dishonest behaviour, killings, disloyalty to one's community, uncooperative actions, and failure to fulfil role-related responsibilities are seen as breaches of ethical codes that result in bad omens. To maintain peace and progress in the community and ensure cosmic balance, one must live responsibly and peacefully with others, promoting love, peace, and progress. The belief in the power of the dead over the living, where the deceased continue to interact with the living and offer rewards or punishment based on their actions, is a constant reminder of the weight of one's actions.

Despite the unease and concern, to many Africans, death is not the end of one's life or spiritual journey. There is a firm and comforting conviction in life after death, a belief that brings reassurance and peace. Moreover, the power of the dead over the living is widely acknowledged. In many African communities, it is believed that the spirit of the deceased transitions to another cosmic world where it continues to interact with the living, offering rewards or punishment based on their actions. This belief in life after death serves as a source of reassurance, discouraging speaking badly about the dead, as such actions may prevent them from resting peacefully and could bring doom to the living.

The dead can only assume a judicial role if they have lived up to certain expected norms and standards during their lifetime. That is where accountability, responsibility, and karma come into play. In many African cultures, karma is seen as a supernatural form of justice, a belief that significantly influences the behaviour of the living. It is a worldview where one's actions lead to morally aligned outcomes within and across lifetimes. The "what goes around, comes around" worldview explains why many Africans hold that one's past actions have lasting consequences. Interestingly, many religions globally share this belief, viewing karma as a necessary check and balance to maintain harmony between the living and the dead. These beliefs, shaped by social learning and cultural evolution over time, influence the behaviour of the living, shaping their actions with the expectation of judgmental outcomes.

If the dead and ancestors are thought to live permanently amongst the living, observing their actions and offering rewards or punishment, the dead can only fulfil this role if they led virtuous lives. Otherwise, their souls may wander aimlessly, seeking peace among the dead. That raises the question: Does the wicked find peace, even in death?