Losing someone dear is an inevitable part of life, and the impact of such a loss can often be far greater than we anticipate.

Have you ever dreamed of a loved one who has passed away? The significance of their appearance in your dream may hold deeper meanings than you realize.

Grief manifests differently for everyone. Some express their emotions through tears, while others retreat into silence or avoid confronting their feelings entirely. However, one experience many share is dreaming about those who have died. Our subconscious mind takes the reins during sleep, and these dreams may carry important messages or insights.

Could dreams truly be a way for the deceased to communicate with us?

Patrick McNamara, a neurology and psychiatry associate professor at Boston University, describes such experiences as “visitation dreams.” In these dreams, the deceased appear alive and vivid to the dreamer. McNamara, who blogs under the name Dream Catcher for Psychology Today, explains that visitation dreams often serve a psychological purpose. They provide comfort, helping people process grief and navigate their loss.

In one of his posts, McNamara recounts a visitation dream he had after his parents passed away. This profound experience led him to explore the idea that such dreams might be more than just a coping mechanism—they could potentially signify a connection to life after death.

“Even as someone with a skeptical, scientific approach to studying dreams, I couldn’t shake the belief that I had just communicated with my deceased parents. Imagine how much stronger this conviction might be for someone with a less skeptical perspective,” Patrick McNamara reflects.

McNamara isn’t alone in his fascination with these types of dreams. Several studies have explored the phenomenon of “visitation dreams” and their impact on grief. For instance, a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care highlighted the frequency and significance of grief-related dreams. These dreams were found to help individuals heal, often depicting the deceased as healthy, at peace, and even conveying comforting messages.

In another study conducted in 2016, Canadian researchers analyzed the dream experiences of 76 bereaved individuals. They discovered that 67.1% of participants felt these dreams strengthened their belief in an afterlife, and about 70% described the dreams as “visitations.” Furthermore, 71% reported feeling more connected to their loved ones through these experiences.

Psychologist Jennifer E. Shorter, from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, has also researched the relationship between dreams and grief. In her study, Visitation Dreams in Grieving Individuals: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Relationship Between Dreams and the Grieving, she noted four key characteristics of visitation dreams:

The deceased often appear as they did when alive, though healthier or younger.
They frequently communicate reassurance, such as expressing that they are fine.
Messages are often conveyed telepathically rather than through direct conversation.
These dreams tend to feel peaceful, structured, and harmonious.
Have you ever experienced a dream of a departed loved one? What did it mean to you? Share your story in the comments below, and if you believe dreams carry deeper meanings, spread the word by sharing this article on Facebook!