Many people believe that every dream has something important to tell you about the inner workings of your subconscious mind. This is especially likely when you have an impactful dream, such as one in which someone who has passed away makes an appearance. Here are 17 meanings behind dreaming of someone who has died.
Reflecting Unresolved Emotions
If you’ve had a dream about a deceased loved one, this is likely a sign that you still have unresolved emotions around their passing. For example, you may still need to process feelings of grief or guilt related to their death. According to Dream Guide Me, dreaming about loved ones who have passed away is a common way we process grief. This is more likely if you experienced negative emotions such as sadness, grief, or guilt during the dream.
Signifying Personal Growth
Sometimes, seeing deceased individuals in a dream can symbolize that it’s time for you to let go of parts of yourself or your behaviors that no longer serve you. Try reflecting on whether this could be the case for you, and if it is, see what steps you can take to help yourself move forward.
Expressing Deep-Rooted Fears
On the other hand, dreaming of someone who has died can reflect your own fears, such as fears about death or the unknown. It can also be a sign that you’re worried about the possibility of losing someone close to you.
Highlighting Lost Traits or Qualities
A dream about a deceased person can reflect traits or qualities you feel like you’ve lost in yourself. Try thinking about the traits and characteristics of the deceased individual in your dream and see if there are any similarities between them and lost parts of yourself.
Symbolizing a Need for Reconciliation
Dreams about people who have passed away sometimes symbolize a need or desire to reconcile with somebody else or even parts of yourself. Perhaps there’s something you need to be forgiven for, forgive somebody else for, or forgive yourself for.
Serving as a Coping Mechanism
If you’ve recently lost somebody or something important to you, your subconscious mind may be attempting to help you cope through dreams relating to death. Death is often associated with loss and grief, so your mind may be bringing these emotions to the surface to help you process them.
Acting as a Reminder of Mortality
Dreams about death can sometimes serve as important reminders about our own mortality and the importance of cherishing every new day. It may also be a sign that it’s time for you to evaluate your life choices and priorities, ensuring that you’re doing the things that are most important and fulfilling for you.
Foreshadowing Change or Transition
Some people believe that dreams about the deaths of deceased individuals can foreshadow upcoming changes in their lives. As they say, every ending is a new beginning, so consider the possibility that you may be entering a new chapter in your life.
Offering Comfort and Assurance
Sometimes we have positive dreams about close ones who have passed away. This can be a sign that you’re beginning to find closure in their death or that your subconscious mind is trying to provide the support and comfort you need to move forward.
If They’re Mad at You in the Dream
The meaning of dreams about deceased individuals varies with their actions and characteristics. If the person in your dream is angry at you, this likely reflects your sense of guilt or unfinished business, either with a loved one who has passed away or someone else in your life.
If They Try to Hurt You
If the person in your dream tries to hurt you, this may reflect your self-sabotaging behaviors or habits. On the other hand, it could be a reflection of conflicts you had with the dead person when they were alive.
If the Dream Is Pleasant
When you have a pleasant dream involving someone who has passed away, this is often a positive sign that you’re moving through the grieving process and healing emotionally. Some people also believe that this can be a sign of a visitation dream.
If It’s a Visitation Dream
Many people believe that after a loved one passes away, it’s possible for them to visit you from the other side by appearing in your dreams. Psychology Today says this may be a sign that your close one wants to help you come to terms with their death and show you that they are free from pain and negative emotions on the other side.
Your Dreams May Be Sending You a Message
Sometimes, visitation dreams may also have additional messages to share with us. If your loved one shows or tells you something that seems important or meaningful, it’s possible they’re trying to comfort or guide you in some way.
How to Tell If You Experienced a Visitation Dream
After all this talk of visitation dreams, you may be wondering—how exactly can you tell if it’s a visitation dream? Well, according to Mel Doerr, visitation dreams often feel distinctly different from normal dreams. For example, they may feel more “real,” vivid, or meaningful. These dreams are also usually short and straight to the point, with the focus being on communication.
You Are Empathizing with a Close One
According to Choosing Therapy, if you’re dreaming of a deceased stranger or someone who was close to a loved one, it’s possible that your dream reflects your empathy for those going through the grieving process. This is especially likely if you recently talked to someone who has lost a loved one.
There Is No Real Meaning
While some people believe that every dream is meaningful in its own way, others think that some dreams are truly random and meaningless. If you don’t relate to any of the other meanings on this list, it’s possible that this could be the case for you.
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