Hi Alan,
Isn't much I can add to the excellent explanations of Rondele and Justin--so just a couple of thoughts that came to me.
Our beliefs have very real power. When some have no idea they've passed from this physical state of awareness, when they not only believe they are still alive but have no clue that anything transpired to permanently alter their situation, they can remain in that alive-in-the-physical belief. The only folks they perceive are those who still have a in-the-physical feel to them, such as retrievers. I have encountered a few stuck after death who were able to perceive sudden movements or fleeting glimpses of nonphysical somethings in their periphery, but it only seemed to compound their fear, unfortunately.
All of us getting stuck here and there, being retrieved...helping in retrieving others, realizing that no matter what areas of consciousness we focus our attention into, it's all a part of this great adventure we're zealously moving through.
I have great respect for your religious beliefs, Alan, and I hope this isn't taken the wrong way...but I've often wonder if Jesus was a retriever, on a massive scale. This earth life system is one of many belief systems, and I believe the only way to get anything out of it is to go all out and really get involved, be all the people/characters we can be, live the worst and the best and to the fullest, party down
...and this also means probably getting stuck here and there. Out of love and understanding did he endeavor to get our attention, to remind us of what to avoid, and what to embrace, to free ourselves?
Much love,
Ginny