Losing a loved one can be incredibly hard, and many people experience dreams featuring the deceased. These dreams, called visitation dreams, are believed to carry significant meaning, often related to grief, healing, and even the afterlife.

What Are Visitation Dreams?

According to Patrick McNamara, a neurologist and professor at Boston University, visitation dreams involve deceased loved ones appearing as if they are alive, and they often provide comfort. As McNamara explains, “dreams of the bereaved where the dead appear to the bereaved in dreams and look to be very much alive.”

Studies on Grief Dreams

Research, such as a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, found that these dreams often help with healing by presenting the deceased as healthy and at peace. Similarly, a 2016 study of 76 grieving individuals revealed that many of them felt more connected to their loved ones through these dreams.

Characteristics of Visitation Dreams

Psychologist Jennifer E. Shorter identifies key features of visitation dreams: the deceased appear younger or healthier, often express they are fine, and the message is experienced more telepathically than physically. These dreams are typically calm and organized.