The Afterlife Handbook: A Guide for the Recently Deceased

Introduction

Welcome to the afterlife, a realm governed by rules and regulations that may surprise you. In Tim Burton's Beetlejuice, the Handbook for the Recently Deceased serves as a comprehensive guide for the departed, offering insights into the peculiarities of life after death. Let's take a journey through the top eight surprising rules and revelations about the afterlife as depicted in this iconic film.

Adam and Barbara in Beetlejuice

Rule 1: Stay Still at Funerals

Contrary to common beliefs, the Handbook for the Recently Deceased advises ghosts to remain perfectly still at their own funerals. This peculiar instruction, though not featured in the final cut of the film, sheds light on the meticulous detail and etiquette outlined in the afterlife handbook.

Miss Argentina in Beetlejuice.

Rule 2: Civil Servants of the Afterlife

In the afterlife, the bureaucratic system is in full swing, with civil servants managing the administrative tasks. What's surprising is the revelation that those employed as civil servants are individuals who committed suicide during their living years. This unexpected correlation offers a unique perspective on the afterlife's organizational structure and the purpose it bestows upon the departed.

Beetlejuice sitting in the waiting room of the Neitherworld

Rule 3: Eternal Appearance

One of the eerie truths discovered by Adam and Barbara is that the appearance one holds at the time of death becomes their eternal visage. This haunting revelation showcases the lasting impact of mortality, as ghosts are forever bound to the appearance they held in their final moments, offering a chilling insight into the afterlife.

Geena Davis holding a knife and a severed head in Beetlejuice

Rule 4: The Living and the Dead

While the living are generally oblivious to the presence of the deceased, the handbook acknowledges the rare instances where individuals possess the ability to perceive the world of the dead. This revelation, as demonstrated through the character Lydia Deetz, adds a layer of complexity to the interactions between the living and the departed.

Lydia looking shocked in Beetlejuice with a red background

Rule 5: The Art of Haunting

The Handbook dedicates a significant portion of its content to instructing ghosts on the art of haunting the living. From subtle scares to extreme haunting, the guide provides insights into the unconventional relationship between the deceased and the living, offering a glimpse into the afterlife's mischievous side.

Beetlejuice leans over while talking to a dead person with a shrunken head in Beetlejuice.

Rule 6: The Lost Souls Room

Exorcism not only affects the living but also has consequences for the deceased. If exorcised, ghosts face the harrowing fate of being confined to the Lost Souls room, a desolate existence without a place to call their own. This revelation sheds light on the potential consequences of interactions between the living and the dead.

Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) reading the Handbook in Beetlejuice

Rule 7: The 125-Year Restriction

Ghosts are bound to their homes for 125 years after death, a restriction that defines their initial afterlife experience. Beyond this milestone, the handbook remains cryptic about the freedom that awaits the departed, hinting at a world beyond the familiar walls of their homes, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the afterlife's evolution.

This image shows the Maitland house in Beetlejuice.

Rule 8: Caseworker Limitations

Despite its comprehensive nature, the Handbook for the Recently Deceased has its limitations. Deceased individuals are restricted to just three appointments with their caseworker, emphasizing the need for self-reliance and adaptation in navigating the afterlife. This revelation showcases the handbook's role as a tool for empowerment and resilience among the departed.

Adam and Barbara Maitland look at their caseworker Juno.