We're a story that's outside time and space

A mathematical formula isn't invented.  It's outside time and space.  We merely discover it.

It's more and more clear that 'consciousness' is a story we tell ourselves.  As William James observed, we observe ourselves crying, and then know we are sad.

Like a mathematical formula, a story exists outside time and space.  It's merely discovered by the author.

The story itself will have a light cone propagating influence on the rest of the universe.  The influence of the story lasts forever, or something like forever, until overtaken by the heat death of the universe.

So it seems, two parts of "us" do indeed last forever.  The story, which exists outside time and space.  And the influence of that story.

The part that goes away, our living being, is the discoverer of that story.  At the point of death, the story is no longer being extended.  Is that what counts?  Perhaps.  Perhaps it depends on whether it's your story, IOW, the point of view.