The theme of mortality is prominent force in the decision making of the play's characters. Mortality and the destination of one's soul after death affects the characters choices, actions and defines their moral boundaries.
Gertrude: "Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity" (I.ii.).
Hamlet sees a ghost whom he believes to be his father. If it is true that Hamlet is not delusional and he has in fact seen evidence of life after death, it is not congruent with his opinions that carry on throughout the play.
Claudius gambles his mortality in exchange for his happiness. "I am still possess’d of those effects for which I did the murder" (III. iii). He could either kill his brother and gain the power he desired and risk the potential destination of his soul.
Ophelia uses mortality as an escape from the confinements and tragedies she experiences. Having no control over her existence being a young, unmarried woman, Ophelia's suicide is her only and final declaration of control.
Death is the great equalizer of life. Even though there are differences in people in life, once they are dead, they are all the same and end up the same. Hamlet's sadness at the death of Ophelia creates a balance to the cruelty with which he treated her in the past. However other character's are not empathetic towards his grief because the situation is Hamlet's fault.
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