According to a new study, the most common dreams people have in the days before they die are of open doors, white lights, and seeing dead loved ones.
Researchers from Azienda USL–IRCCS di Reggio Emilia surveyed 239 Italian palliative care professionals, doctors, nurses, psychologists, and hospice volunteers about the visions and end-of-life dreams (ELDVs) their patients shared with them.
“[ELDVs] carry an important relational potential,” said the research team. “Talking about ELDVs allows patients to approach otherwise unspeakable topics through a symbolic mode of expression, bypassing the obstacles of rational language, which can instead trigger defensive reactions such as denial.”
Vivid dreams usually happen during the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage, when the brain is pretty active. Dreaming is thought to help us process emotions, solve problems, think creatively, and more. So, there is likely a good reason why people who are about to die have dreams.
Many patients reported reuniting with loved ones who have already passed on, such as a parent, a late spouse, a relative, or even a pet. Some patients were awake for these visions.
Others reported visions linked to transitions, like bright lights, staircases, and thresholds, almost akin to a pathway to the afterlife.
There were also more surreal images, like a white horse galloping along the shoreline.
“One professional recounted a patient who dreamed of her husband, saying, ‘I’m waiting for you,’ interpreting this as a sign of inner peace and acceptance of death,” said the research team.
The ELDVs may serve as a form of psychological relief for those on the brink of death. Comforting dreams may help patients work through their fears about dying in a way that regular conversation can’t.
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However, not all dreams were comforting. About one in 10 visions was deeply distressing. One patient experienced a dream of a monster with their mother’s face, dragging them down.
It’s unclear what causes these disturbing visions, but experts believe that dreams of a darker nature may point to unresolved conflict, traumatic memories, physical pain, a fear of death, or unmet clinical/emotional needs.
Overall, this study adds to previous research showing that dreams about deceased loved ones become more frequent as death approaches.
It is the first study of its kind to focus on the sleep visions of the terminally ill. In addition, ELDVs often overlap with visions experienced by those who survive near-death experiences.
“Despite their prevalence and relational significance, ELDVs still lack a clear cultural and clinical understanding,” said Elisa Rabitti, the leader of the research team. “Patients often hesitate to disclose them due to fear of ridicule, judgment, or being perceived as confused and may minimize their importance when they do share them.”
The findings of the study were published in the journal Death Studies.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
