The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word AFTERLIFE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
F
T
E
R
L
I
F
E
More clues leading to the result AFTERLIFE
- A diabolical fire felt to be one's eternal existence?
- If later regenerating, the beginnings of further existence?
- Following sentence shows hoped-for future
- Touring France, unusual relief at what might happen next?
- Part of religious belief systems found in following sentence
- What’s beyond death is a sort of relief
- Oddly, fear left with one in paradise?
- . Comic Relief pursuing a daily fresh start
- Arranged a free lift for final destination?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "hoped-for future" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case hoped-for future = afterlife.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does AFTERLIFE mean?
AFTERLIFE noun- Life after death.
- The place believed to be inhabited by deceased people.