McNamara, a scientist by training, says he himself experienced a dream of a visit after his parents’ death. A dream so vivid that it shook his skepticism. “Even as a rational person, I had this strange feeling that I had actually communicated with them ,” he says.
And he’s not alone. A study published by the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care in 2014 reveals that these dreams are frequent, intense, and, above all, beneficial to the grieving process. They can soothe pain, create a sense of ongoing connection with the deceased, and sometimes strengthen belief in life after death.
Signs of a Visitation Dream
But how can you tell a visitation dream from a simple dream? Psychologist Jennifer E. Shorter has identified four key elements:
The person appears healthy, sometimes younger or radiant.
She often reassures by saying that she is “fine” or “at peace” .
The message is perceived as telepathic, without necessarily using words.
The atmosphere of the dream is peaceful, orderly, sometimes almost luminous.
