Newly Deceased Orientation
If You’re Reading This, You’re Probably Not Alive Anymore.
First: we’re sorry. However it happened, whenever it happened, it matters. You are not overreacting, and you are not “late” to figuring this out.
Downtown Void High School exists so that students like you can have a structured, supported place to land. You are not a glitch. You are enrolled.
This page will walk you through what happens next, step-by-step.
Step 1: Check In
- Find the Main Lobby. Look for the glowing “Welcome & Orientation” sign.
- Approach the desk labeled Newly Deceased Intake.
- Provide your name, approximate year of birth, and last memory (if you can).
- Receive your temporary schedule, homeroom, and counselor assignment.
If you’re disoriented, numb, or scared, you can bring a friend, a sibling, or a trusted ghost with you to check-in.
What You Might Be Feeling
Many newly deceased students report:
- Shock (“This doesn’t feel real.”)
- Anger (“It shouldn’t have happened like that.”)
- Confusion (“Was this an accident? Was it my fault?”)
- Homesickness (“Everyone I love is still there.”)
- Relief (“At least it’s over — whatever ‘it’ was.”)
All of these are normal. You don’t have to pick just one.
Step 2: Attend Afterlife Orientation
Your schedule will include a class called Afterlife Orientation during your first or second day. This is not a test. It’s more like a long-form “What Now?” talk.
In Orientation, you’ll learn:
- How time works (and doesn’t work) in the Downtown Void.
- The basics of haunting, fading, and staying grounded.
- How cross-era homerooms function and why you might be with kids from 1915 and 2007 at the same table.
- Who to talk to if your death was violent, public, or confusing.
Orientation staff know you might cry, joke, go quiet, or leave halfway through. You won’t be in trouble. Just come back when you can.
Step 3: Meet Your Counselor
Every newly deceased student is paired with a counselor experienced in afterlife adjustment. They will:
- Go over your file and correct anything that’s wrong or unfair.
- Help you understand your death at your own pace.
- Support you in reconnecting (or not reconnecting) with parts of your old life.
- Work with you on triggers: dates, songs, hallways, weather, etc.
“It was bad and I don’t want to talk about it yet” is a complete answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stay here forever?
No one is required to stay at Downtown Void High forever. Some students move on, some transfer, some choose to stay involved as mentors or staff. We focus on “right now,” not forever.
Can I still see or talk to people who are alive?
Sometimes. It depends on your connection, their sensitivity, and several rules designed to keep everyone safe. Talk to Counseling before attempting any major contact.
What if I don’t remember my death?
Memory gaps are common. We will never force you to remember. If and when your mind is ready, fragments may return. Counseling can help you feel less alone with whatever comes back.
What if I remember everything, in too much detail?
This is also common. Orientation and Counseling can help you learn how to ground yourself so memories don’t drag you under.
If your question isn’t listed here, that’s okay. Bring it to Orientation or Counseling. “Is it okay that I’m still mad?” and “Why me?” are both valid questions.
Where to Go If You’re Overwhelmed
- Counseling Wing 1A: Walk-in support for newly deceased students.
- Memory Garden: Quiet outdoor space for reflection and small rituals.
- Library (Back Corner): Low-stimulation reading area, beanbags, and soft lamps.
You are not behind. You are not “doing this wrong.” You died. You showed up anyway. That’s enough for today.