Many believe we are born into another “life” when we die. Some say we return to earth as a human or even animal, some say we go to another place, maybe heaven, maybe hell.

We all know we will die but we do not know what comes next.

So “see you in the next life” means you will meet up again after death.

It is often used in resignation when someone is dying or might be about to die. If you are about to do something risky, like fight a war or do a dangerous stunt, it is a statement of such and a hope that you will be reborn and meet up again with someone who is important to you.

There is an aspect that you want to meet someone again, no matter what separates you, even death. It is a statement of fondness for their company. Also that being linked somehow even death will not separate you, somehow you will come back together again. Invoking death this way makes it a highly emotive statement of affection.