Spiritual individuals often argue that dreams hold valuable lessons, suggesting that guides within dreams offer insights into life. On the other hand, many scientists believe that dreams are merely the brain’s way of processing information. They may represent a replay of your day, a chance to confront your fears, or an opportunity to clear your mind during stressful times. Occasionally, you might encounter unexpected visits from someone you once knew. Perhaps you’ve lost touch with that person, or maybe they’ve passed away. But what, if anything, does this type of dream signify?
Dreaming of a deceased loved one can evoke a wide range of emotions. You might experience a sense of peace and love, or alternatively, sadness—whether due to past hurts or because you miss them. Dreaming of someone who has recently passed away is a common occurrence worldwide.
Such dreams are often seen as part of the grieving process. However, as noted by Healthline, if the person in your dream passed away a long time ago, it may reflect a significant transition in your own life. In dreams, death doesn’t always represent literal death; it can symbolize the brain’s way of confronting a new phase in your life. Have you recently moved? Been offered a new job? Or perhaps you’ve just graduated and are considering your future options.
Experts advise that when interpreting a dream, it’s important not to get too caught up in minor details. Instead, focus on how the dream made you feel. The emotions you experience during the dream will provide more insight than anything you might see or think. Additionally, dreams are often symbolic of something deeper.
Rubin Naiman, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology and has spent many years studying sleep patterns and habits, explains the process of understanding a dream’s meaning: “Dream interpretation is about decoding the dream. It enlightens us and expands our awareness psychologically, [offering an] expansion of consciousness.” Dreaming of a deceased loved one often signifies changes in your life and the emotions—whether anxiety or peace—associated with the decisions you’ve made regarding these changes.
Naiman also points out that, “A lot of contemporary neuroscientists believe during REM sleep, the brain is involved in maintenance tasks, and it accidentally ‘kicks up dust,’ visually. At that end, dreaming is considered totally meaningless. On the other hand,” he adds, “The other end is that dreaming is more substantial than waking. And we see this in ‘dream cultures,’ such as the indigenous people of Australia, who believe dreaming is intrinsic to our spiritual existence.”
Experts generally classify these types of dreams into four main reasons:
1. Grieving
If someone has recently passed away, your brain might be working through the pain of the loss.
2. Projection of Emotions
When a loved one appears angry or disappointed in your dream, it often reflects your own feelings of guilt or unresolved issues.
3. Self-Sabotage
Dream analyst Lauri Loewenberg explains that dreams of deceased loved ones may reveal self-destructive behaviors, mirroring those the loved one may have exhibited, such as substance abuse or reckless spending.
4. Visitation
Some believe that deceased loved ones can visit us in dreams, offering wisdom, warnings, or highlighting necessary changes in our lives. If the loved one appears happy and healthy, and you feel comforted and at peace upon waking, this might have been a visitation. While this may seem far-fetched to some, professionals like Loewenberg suggest that it could be a genuine possibility.
For years, scientists have studied sleep and dreams to better understand the mind. However, for those who are spiritually inclined, dreams offer something much deeper and more meaningful. They believe that dreams provide insight into the soul, a closer connection to the deceased, and an opportunity to receive wisdom from ancestors or loved ones we’ve cherished in this life.
