Couple in the next world (3)
I believe the answer is:
two
'couple' is the definition.
(a couple can mean two of something)
'in the next world' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'TWO' is hidden in the letters of 'next world'.
(Other definitions for two that I've seen before include "not very many" , "Number of Gentlemen of Verona" , "Fifth root of thirty-two" , "2" , "Company allegedly" .)