Bereavement Apparitions are experiences in which a person perceives the presence of a deceased loved one after that person’s death. These experiences are surprisingly common and are often reported during the grieving process.
Common Types of Bereavement Apparitions
People may report:
- Seeing: the deceased person briefly.
- Hearing: their voice.
- Feeling their presence: in the room.
- Sensing a touch: such as a hand on the shoulder.
- Smelling a familiar scent: associated with the deceased.
- Having vivid visitation dreams: that feel unusually real.
How Common Are They?
Research in grief psychology and psychical research suggests that bereaved individuals report some form of post death sensory or presence experience. Many people who have these experiences do not have a mental illness and may find them comforting rather than distressing.
Psychological Perspective
Psychologists often view bereavement apparitions as a normal part of adapting to loss. Possible explanations include:
- The mind’s continued expectation that the loved one is present.
- Strong emotional bonds and attachment.
- Memory and perception processes during grief.
- Dreams and altered states occurring during bereavement.
From this perspective, the experience does not necessarily indicate a psychiatric disorder: please, consult with a Psychiatrist.
Parapsychological Perspective
Within the field of Parapsychology, some researchers have considered whether certain bereavement apparitions might represent evidence for the survival of consciousness after death. This remains controversial and has not been accepted as established by stereotypical mainstream science.
When to Seek Help
Bereavement apparitions are generally not considered a problem if they:
- Are brief and comforting.
- Occur in the context of normal grief.
- Do not impair daily functioning.
Professional evaluation may be helpful if the experiences are highly distressing, persistent, involve dangerous commands, or occur alongside other symptoms of psychosis or severe mental illness: please, consult with a Psychiatrist.
Example
A widow may wake during the night and clearly see her deceased husband sitting in a favorite chair for a few seconds before the image fades. She recognizes that her spouse has died, but the experience feels vivid and comforting. This would be a classic example of a bereavement apparition.
Many grief counselors today view such experiences as part of the broad range of normal human responses to loss, regardless of whether they are interpreted psychologically, spiritually, or parapsychologically.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 