Rajan Zed| Reno Gazette Journal
According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, "many Americans report that their relationships with loved ones continue past death in some way." Around half of U.S. adults (53%) say they’ve ever been visited by a dead family member in a dream or some other form. And a substantial share says they’ve had interactions with dead relatives in the past 12 months.
Women are more likely than men to say they have had these kinds of interactions with dead family members. People who are moderately religious are more likely than others to have experienced these things.
We don’t know whether people view these experiences as mysterious or supernatural, or whether they see them as having natural or scientific causes, or some of both. Roughly two-thirds of Catholics (66%) and members of the historically Black Protestant tradition (67%) have ever experienced a visit from a deceased family member in some form. Roughly half (48%) of those who say their religion is nothing in particular reported one of these experiences.
We asked our panel: Do the dead family members visit us in a dream or some other form?
Elusive boundary
Sherif A. Elfass, member, Northern Nevada Muslim Community
When an individual dies, their soul transitions to a different realm, disconnected from familial connections. The deceased is oblivious to their family's worldly circ*mstances, except in infrequent instances when Allah (SWT) so desires.
Dreams can potentially be a bridge for such encounters. Some dreams, however, are true and some are from Satan. The living may come to know something of the circ*mstances of the dead via true dreams, but that depends on the sincerity of the one who sees the dream, whether the dream is a true one, and the ability of the one who interprets these dreams. It is essential, however, to exercise caution and not unequivocally rely on dreams as definitive proof of the afterlife's details, as not all dreams hold true to reality. The boundary between the earthly realm and the unknown remains elusive, masked in the mystery of the hereafter.
Visitations bespeak love
Toni King, spiritual leader, Unity Center of Reno
We would all be blessed to be called upon by a loved one who has made their transition. I was once visited by a friend’s dog, Dakota, after he passed. I was honored to liaise a conversation between them in Dakota’s last days, and then one early morning he came frolicking into my dreamland to say hello and show me how well he was doing on the other side.
Losing a loved one demands experiential grief beyond what the head can comprehend. Our hearts, however, are more powerful than we know with capacity to engulf the entire world in healing light once we, ourselves, are removed from the ache of loss. It is in the twilight of healing from such loss, once aftershocks wane, that we become open to receive messages and visitations from beyond. These communications are of love and acceptance of who we are, exactly as we are.
Spiritual communication can be real
Daniel H. Mueggenborg, bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno
The Catholic Church believes in the Communion of Saints, which means an enduring relationship with all who are members of the Body of Christ whether they be alive or deceased.
A saintly person who has died can communicate with the faithful, including family members. However, such experiences should be subject to reasonable scrutiny before being accepted as authentic.
God may permit such experiences for instruction, caution, consolation or some other spiritual or tangible benefit. This sharing of spiritual goods bears witness to the fact that the bonds of Baptism are stronger than death and that the souls of the just enjoy eternal life. These experiences should be rooted in prayer and centered in God.
However, accepting a communication which God permits is to be distinguished from forbidden practices of spiritism, in which someone seeks to make contact with those who have died through mediums, divination, conjuring or other occult practices.
The great continuum of consciousness
Matthew T. Fisher, resident priest, Reno Buddhist Center
Buddhism emphasizes impermanence and the transient nature of all things, including life, death and rebirth. We understand that a continuum of consciousness exists in the cosmos. Within the continuum a departed relative is not “gone to nothingness,” but rather they are experiencing a new rebirth, in a new place and a new context. There are circ*mstances where their karmic-consciousness would be accessible and can communicate with us. We are often associated with dear ones across many lifetimes. Communication with them is easy when they are here with us, and possible when they have passed onward.
The case of a dear one who has not completely passed onward (i.e. ghosts) occurs when they are awkwardly bound to this world after death. Perhaps from incomplete cremation or a traumatic death then a gruesome existence traps them — not here and not gone — crying out for help. Fortunately this is rare.
Our dead can communicate with us
Micheal L. Peterson, northwestern Nevada media specialist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
I believe that dead family members can and do visit us from the spirit world when necessary. We believe in the eternal nature of man and since one never truly dies, but lives in some form always and forever, It makes perfect sense that communication is sometimes made available. I base my opinions not only on common sense, but on the myriad of testimonies of both Church leaders and lay persons on the subject.
Although I have Had no such experience thus far, I have indeed known individuals who claim to have had such an experience, and it is not difficult for me to believe them. Communication between the spirit world and our mortal world is effectuated by the Holy Ghost and if the purpose is a righteous one, I expect it would be permitted. Further, if we were more righteous and pure, we might be more likely candidates.
It’s a mystery
Dawn M. Blundell, lead pastor, Epworth United Methodist Church, Fallon
After my mom died, my dad swore he felt her checking in on him. Earlier today, I spoke with someone who shared that her loved one had visited a friend to tell her he was at peace. I can’t count how many bedsides I have sat beside, where the dying person said they had been visited by their long-passed loved ones.
I’ve never had an experience like this, but every story I’ve heard from others has been positive. Comforting. My faith tradition doesn’t say anything about it one way or the other, and I honestly don’t know what I think about it, but I hope it’s true. I hope the afterlife is so perfect — peaceful, joy-filled, and free — that we don’t worry about what’s happening here on earth … but at the same time, I hope our loved ones watch out for us, and reach out with love when we need them.
Welcoming the dead
F. Kevin Murphy, Sunday Forum Chair, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada
This may be more a question of human psychology than of religion. If viewed as a religious question, then there are some who by nature and an “exalted emotional sensibility” enjoy the gift of “psychical visitations,” as the Unitarian psychologist and philosopher William James put it. Such mystics as St. Teresa, Joan of Arc and George Fox come to mind.
For the rest of us, it is not unusual to see, converse with and be inspired by the appearance of a long dead and beloved person in our dreams. This is a human, not a religious experience. It is not objective evidence of life beyond the grave, but if it is taken as such, then that is a religious idea. Either way, it is a rich and gratifying experience. As the pragmatist James would say, if the idea is useful, then there is value and therefore some truth in it.
Visiting relatives are normal
ElizaBeth Webb Beyer, Jewish rabbi
When we are in a state of complete relaxation, like dreaming, meditation or hypnosis, the conscious mind is quieter. The soul may more freely interact with the spiritual world. The deceased, particularly close relatives, can choose to visit then. Visitations may occur to provide inspiration or revelations. Alternatively, the departed soul may have an interest or desire, even if the relationship during life wasn’t particularly close.
Certainly, visitations could happen for the mutual benefit of both the living and the dead. The Zohar says that the souls of parents and grandparents come to share in celebrations. The date when someone dies and at holidays, we light a candle for them in remembrance. In addition, the living person may benefit the deceased by studying Torah, giving charity, sharing positive memories of the deceased or saying Kaddish (a particular prayer designed to elevate the soul of the departed).
They ask for our prayers
Stephen R. Karcher, presiding priest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church
“Not even death can separate us,” says Scripture. Many biblical examples exist in which departed souls are conscious and aware, as in the cloud of witnesses that surround us; in the presence of Moses and Elijah at the Lord’s Transfiguration; in the description of Lazarus and the rich man. The faithful experience a bond of love existing between those who are present and those who have departed. This bond is upheld through mutual prayer.
Elder Thaddaeus would boldly say that even as soon “as we start to think about them, we establish communication. Those possessing a noble, peaceful and quiet spirit converse with the souls sometimes during their sleep.” He goes on to explain that after someone departs, “they no longer are able to pray for themselves, only for others,” and so, they need our prayers. So, whenever we encounter the deceased in dreams, we respond by praying for them.
Happily, yes
Nancy Lee Cecil, Baha’i teacher
Mourning the loss of loved ones is so painful; there is no timetable for healing. However, it is often a blessing to dream of the deceased loved ones and to see them laughing and talking again. In a sense, they appear to be still alive and, in another sense, they are. Our physical bodies are subject to death and decay, but our souls are immortal. The dead have merely completed their earthly sojourn; their journey in the next world has just begun.
Baha’i Writings say we should look forward to the journey to the next realm with hope and expectation: “… loved ones are dead and buried in the ground, (but) afterward you see them in the world of dreams and speak to them … who is the person … in your dreams, you talk to and who talks to you? This again proves there is another reality different from the physical one.”
Visitation not possible
Bryan Smith, lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks
Visitation dreams can be linked to grief, trauma, stress, etc. Turning to memories of loved ones in such times can make sense. In Luke 16 Jesus tells of a rich man in hell who begged Abraham to send Lazarus, a departed soul, to warn his brothers of their eternity. Abraham explains that’s not possible; they have Moses and the prophets to direct them. The point being, a visitation dream by a departed soul is not an option. After death, our soul is either in heaven or hell without the option to return.
But what if we want to reach out? The Bible is explicit in stating that we are not to engage in occult practices, including consulting the dead (Deuteronomy 8:11). This is an unhealthy and destructive exercise.
Rather than looking for deeper meaning, we can accept a visitation dream as a welcome memory of a loved one.
Yes (but not really)
Anthony Shafton, author and atheist thinker
There’s nothing illogical about believing that we pass into another existence after death, while at the same time believing that God doesn’t exist. Some atheists and agnostics are convinced they’ve had visitations from beyond. I’m not one of them. Certainly I’ve had dreams about my dead father and mother and brother, and experienced a lively sense of deceased persons while awake; but I don’t regard either type of event as an actual visit from somewhere by some real essence of what used to be a bipedal primate.
I do take solace, occasionally even elation, in the knowledge that my animal bits will go back into the stardust mixmaster. That’s not really post mortem longevity, is it? My surgically removed organs and shaven beard hairs go back, too. Are they perpetuated? No. It’s the way the bits fit together that’s me. And everything put together falls apart. Bits don’t visit.
A hearsay answer
Kenneth G. Lucey, philosophy/religion professor emeritus, University of Nevada
From my own personal experience I have no idea whatsoever concerning whether dead family members visit us in our dreams or anywhere else. My deceased parents have never seen fit to pay me any nocturnal visits. Yet once a month I get a haircut from my barber, and he regularly reports visits from both his deceased mother and brother. He has been a psychic his entire life, and as a teenager, was a student of a well-known psychic (Sylvia Browne). He says that, by meditation, he can initiate contact with departed relatives, and has his own personal spirit guide.
This writer has no personal knowledge of any of these issues, except what I’ve been told secondhand. My barber is part of a community of fellow psychics whose life experiences support one another’s unique talents and their beliefs about the reality of their experiences concerning the paranormal.
Faith Forum is a weekly dialogue on religion produced by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Send questions or comments to rajanzed@gmail.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rajanzed.
