You know, death might actually be exceedingly painfull.
Scientists know that for several weeks after you have died that the synapses in your brain continue to fire. They believe this is probably random, but what if it isn't? What if you maintain conciousness for a little while, during which your body is rotting away. All those exposed nerves and tissues breaking down would hurt like anything if you were coherent enough to perceive it.
And of course, with no other outside stimulus who knows how fast your brain my process things, which would make the time seem like it was forever. Your brain kicks into overdrive when you are about to die (hence the whole life flashing before you eyes thing) so even if you maintain consiousness for just a few moments after your body dies (which you almost certainly do) it could seem like an
eternity. Kinda freaky...
Just to be on the safe side, I think I'm getting creamated.
<edit> Superman, yeah I'm one of them but this is supposed to be a "what if" thread. So I'm talking about in case we are wrong.