The first thing that happens is all your body orifices let out all the pent up gasses inside ya. Thats why they bury your ass, pronto!

The next thing that happens is everyone in the family divvies up all your worldly posessions and fights over who gets what. It's good to always have a lot of food at wakes, ..it eases the tensions somewhat.

As far as your soul, well that's another whole ball of wax.