What It Really Means When You Dream Of Someone Who Has Died

Dreams are a mystery we are still trying to solve. Not only are dreams an ever-elusive enigma, but the meaning behind our dreams may remain hazy as well. Surely, dreams of an animal, friend, or event have to mean something, right? And if you are conjuring up specific people in your sleep, their presence must symbolize something.

But what if you are dreaming about someone who has already died?  Per Regular Dream, dreaming about a dead relative, friend, or acquaintance means you miss the person, which is totally natural. The outlet added that your subconscious brain is trying to tell you something. What, you might wonder? 

Well, according to the outlet, there are several meanings behind dreams of a dead relative. For example, one meaning behind this particular dream is that you are mourning the loss of something important — a job, a friendship, or even yourself.

Other meanings can include you forgetting something significant in your life, or you're searching for guidance, per Regular Dream. According to Dreaming and Sleeping, when deceased loved ones show up in your dreams, these are visitation dreams, and they're worth paying attention to.

Dreaming about a deceased person has multiple meanings. The dream or the dead relative may also be trying to tell you something, per Guideposts. But you may be wondering why you're dreaming about a dead parent or friend in the first place. "Sometimes the last time we see a family member or a loved one is in a hospital bed," Dr. Charity Virkler Kayembe told Guideposts. "That's not the picture you want to be left with. So God will give us the true situation of how they are now in heaven. They're healthier than they've ever been, they're happier, they're home. It's just one way God heals our hearts." This may be a comforting thought for anyone who's religious.

But even if you're not religious, according to the outlet, seeing a deceased person in your dream can bring about comfort. It's a chance for you to move on and see the deceased person in a happy light. As Dr. Barbie Breathitt added, "A dream is a gateway, a doorway to the supernatural."

While it might be scary to see your deceased relative in your dream, you shouldn't be afraid — they could be trying to move on or give you comfort. So, the next time you see a deceased person in your dream, remember how important their presence is.

Now, we know that horror films make it seem that all departed spirits are evil, but that's really not the case. As mentioned, if you dream of a deceased loved one, that person is trying to send you a message. And that message can be shown through your senses — touch, smell, etc. (via Dreaming and Sleeping).

Yes, we know that sounds a bit creepy, but it's true! Per the outlet, you can feel or smell your deceased loved one when you're sleeping. (And, before you think it: no, they're not trying to haunt you.) It's plausible that you feel and smell your deceased loved one because they're operating as your spirit guide, Dreaming and Sleeping added. The deceased are trying to guide you to new paths in life. You may have made a wrong decision or stumbled on the wrong track, and your loved one is trying to get you back into the light (cheesy, we know).

You shouldn't be afraid if you feel, see, or smell the presence of someone who has died in your dreams. Chances are, they're trying to help you — it's up to you to figure out why.