What Does It Mean When a Person Who Has Passed Appears in Your Dream?
At some point, everyone faces the emotional pain of losing a loved one. However, the loss of certain people can affect us more deeply than we expect, leaving us with lingering feelings of grief.
You may have experienced a dream where someone who has passed away appears, and perhaps you haven’t given much thought to what this could mean. People grieve in various ways—some cry, others become withdrawn or silent, and some might even avoid acknowledging the loss altogether. However, a common experience for many is having dreams about those who have passed, and these dreams can carry significance.
The Subconscious and Dreaming of the Departed
Our subconscious mind often shapes what we dream about at night, and if you’ve dreamed of a deceased person, it might be trying to convey something meaningful. One common explanation is the idea of “visitation dreams,” where the deceased appear alive and well in the dream world.
According to Patrick McNamara, an associate professor of neurology and psychiatry at Boston University, these dreams are quite common. He explains that visitation dreams are those in which the deceased seem very much alive, often communicating or simply appearing peaceful. McNamara, who has written extensively about dreams, believes that there’s typically a rational explanation for these experiences—one that ties into the process of emotional healing.
Emotional Healing Through Visitation Dreams
McNamara himself experienced a visitation dream after losing his parents, which he has described in his writings. Although he has a scientific background and is typically skeptical of supernatural explanations, the dream left him with a strong conviction that he had communicated with his late parents. He suggests that if a skeptic like him could be so moved, others, with a less skeptical mindset, might find the experience even more convincing.
Studies have shown that these kinds of dreams are a common part of the grieving process and may play a crucial role in healing from the trauma of loss. A study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care in 2014 concluded that “dreams of the deceased occur frequently, can be highly meaningful, and aid in the healing process.”
Insights from Research
Research into mourning and dreams also reveals some interesting patterns. A 2016 study from Canada, which tracked the dreams of 76 individuals who had recently lost a loved one, found that 67.1% of participants said that dreaming about the deceased helped strengthen their belief in an afterlife. Additionally, 70% felt that the dreams were visits from the departed, and 71% said these dreams enhanced their connection to the deceased.
Psychologist Jennifer E. Shorter, who has studied the connection between dreams and grief, notes that visitation dreams can occur at any point—shortly after the death or even years later. Her research identifies four common characteristics of visitation dreams:
- The Deceased Appears Healthy or Younger: In visitation dreams, the person who has passed often appears as they did in life, but they may seem healthier, happier, or even younger than they were at the time of death.
- They Share a Reassuring Message: The deceased often communicates in the dream, providing comforting words about how they are now doing well or at peace.
- Telepathic Communication: The connection felt in these dreams is often described as telepathic rather than verbal, where the dreamer senses the deceased’s presence more than they hear them.
- A Peaceful Dream Environment: Visitation dreams tend to be calm and harmonious, often evoking a sense of serenity and closure.
The Significance of Dreaming of the Departed
Have you ever dreamed about a loved one who has passed away? If so, what do you think it meant? While visitation dreams are often linked to emotional healing, their significance can vary depending on personal beliefs and experiences. Whether these dreams are a way for the subconscious to process grief or a spiritual experience, they can provide comfort and a sense of connection to those we have lost.