Consciousness is obviously not a soul or any kind of traveling entity that goes from body to body as touted by a number of those in the religious community.
From the rudimentary to the complex, I think we're getting closer and closer to solving the dilemma of what consciousness is and how it functions.
The abstract is a fascinating read ...
What insects can tell us about the origins of consciousness
(Will read the link -I am actually extrememly interested in the individual steps toward consciousness -but...)
That depends what one believes a consciousness to be.
Biblically, the body returns to dust and the "spirit" to God who gave it.
Later, the spirit is to be put within a "glorious body" similar to that -"according to the working thereof" -which allowed the Word who became Christ to create all things and "subdue all things unto himself".
It is not some ethereal nothing, but that which makes one an individual personality which is described as being stored and later transferred. It just happens to be called a "spirit" in the bible (the word translated "soul" actually refers to both animal and human bodily forms in the bible) rather than some scientific name. That which is recorded is also that which has changed over time -as it is not only that which has developed independently of our own will, but something we are to strive to change for the better ourselves -and as it exists when one dies (or perhaps at its optimal state -as a person may lose that which was gained by circumstance before they die).
If something exists, there also exists a pattern which may be recorded -such as that which allows for your present state of mind rather than that which existed previously. It is that "you" -however it may exist, be stored and transferred -which will be transferred.
It is stored and active now -so why not stored inactive and transferred later?
It is not an impossibility at all -but we presently do not have the capability ourselves.
That of which we are composed is never destroyed -only a particular state or pattern may be destroyed. However, if recorded, any state or pattern may be recreated from the material which was not destroyed.
(Again, I intend to read the link later, as I believe God -though the sum of all that has "always" existed -also necessarily developed by every individual step toward consciousness, self-awareness, creativity, etc. -whereas those steps happened here and there to individual life forms on Earth.
God "evolving" -in the broadest sense of the word -is actually indirectly supported and indicated by scripture [that which was, is, and will be, etc., etc.] -though not actually described in detail. It is also written that the things of God are apparent in what was made...)