Art by smbc-comics
Consciousness is often said to disappear in deep, dreamless sleep. We argue that this assumption is oversimplified. Unless dreamless sleep is defined as unconscious from the outset there are good empirical and theoretical reasons for saying that a range of different types of sleep experience, some of which are distinct from dreaming, can occur in all stages of sleep.
Pubmed Articles
Does Consciousness Disappear in Dreamless Sleep?
Sciencealert Article We Were Wrong About Consciousness Disappearing in Dreamless Sleep, Say Scientists
Except the agonizing pain which precedes death
Depends on the death.
Saying "you too" to the waiter after he says "enjoy your meal sir"
If it's death from too much anaesthesia (or, apparently, freezing), there is none.
Is there a way to actually know that?
Is there a way to actually know anything?
I'm sure you could measure brain activity during death to know for sure (but idk under what conditions you'd be able to do that though). It doesn't really make any sense to me that dying, unless due to some painful external cause, would be painful though. Especially under anesthesia or similar.