Death is a profound and often mysterious event that many people believe is preceded by certain signs or signals. Whether you’re caring for someone who is terminally ill or simply curious about the spiritual signs that might indicate death is near, understanding these signs can provide comfort and insight. This article explores 10 common signs that some people report sensing when death is approaching.
Key Takeaways
- Visits from deceased family members can be a spiritual sign that death is near.
- Visioning or seeing people who have passed away is a common experience among those nearing death.
- Sensing the presence of a deceased loved one can be an indicator of approaching death.
- Seeing specific animals or insects is sometimes interpreted as a sign from the deceased.
- Experiencing strange electrical occurrences can be another sign that death is near.
Visits from Deceased Family Members
Deathbed visions are common in hospices, where care workers and family report the person who is dying “sees” loved ones who have come to escort them to the other side. According to Psychology Today, deathbed visions (DBVs) can occur anywhere from weeks before death to right up to the time of death, and about 57% of them involve experiencing relatives who have died. When these visions happen, it typically calms the person who is dying and brings them peace.
Common signs your loved one is visiting you include feeling a strange sensation, an ethereal presence, or even an intuitive sense. These visits are often subtle, but they can also be much more powerful. You might find comfort in these experiences, knowing that your loved one is near during the end-of-life stages.
Visioning
Visioning is another sign that you might be sensing death. Many dying people will tell you at some point that people are in the room talking to them, visiting them, or have come to get them. It is worth really paying attention to their language which might be about taking a trip, packing, going with someone, going home, and things of that nature.
- An image appears in your mind or you see your loved one in the room. Visions of spirits are not uncommon and can be a sign that they’re trying desperately to contact you about something important. Your loved one might appear in front of you or as a two-dimensional image from the great beyond. They might also send you a mental image of a specific place or object you know could only come from them.
- Try to think about what the vision could be warning you of. Did your loved one touch or try to gesture towards something? Did they try to say something?
- If you saw an image of something else tied to your loved one, think about its significance. Was it the house they grew up in? An important family heirloom? A flower they liked?
Once you understand why a vision is important, try to think about why your loved one sent it to you. Did they touch your wedding ring because they’re worried about your relationship? Did you see an image of their house because it was destroyed and they’re worried about yours?
Sensing Their Presence
It’s quite usual to see, hear, or feel the touch of your deceased loved one. According to a Pew Research study, 44% of adults in the United States say they have felt the presence of a loved one who died. You might notice a change in the energy around you, feel a soft breeze go by, sense someone sitting near you, or even feel the gentle touch of a hand on yours.
- Feeling death is near can manifest in various ways, such as changes in air pressure, room temperature, tingling or buzzing sensations, goose bumps, or cold or warm wafts of air around you or through your body.
- Children or animals might also sense them, often reacting to something you can’t see.
When you sense their presence, it can be both comforting and unsettling, especially if you are grappling with fear. Recognizing these signs can help you understand and process your emotions better.
Seeing an Animal or Insect
Animals and insects are often messengers from the spiritual realm. Your loved one wants you to know that they’re okay and their soul is still with you. When they can sense you’re feeling sad or troubled, they will send a messenger spirit animal or insect as a sign they are looking out for you. Many people also see spirit messengers at special moments in their life that they wished their loved one could be there for, such as the birth of a child or special achievement.
One way to tell if an animal or insect is a messenger spirit is that it shows up unexpectedly when you most need reassurance from your loved one. You might also notice the messenger spirit shows up whenever you think about your loved one. If an animal gives you a feeling of peace and calmness, it’s your loved one sharing their love with you. Common spirit messengers are doves, cardinals, blue jays, ladybugs, butterflies, dragonflies, and dolphins, but any animal can be a spirit messenger.
Finding Special Objects or Trinkets
When loved ones want to get your attention, they will often put things in your path to make you take note of their presence. Small objects such as pennies, dimes, white feathers, and seashells are the most common signs. You will intuitively know it’s a small gift from your deceased loved one because it reminds you of them.
You might find coins, feathers, or seashells in seemingly random places. When the spirits of loved ones want to draw your attention, they might put small objects in your path for you to decode. When you find these trinkets, pay attention to patterns that constantly reappear. These could give you clues to figure out what your loved one is trying to warn you about.
- Do you find only dimes?
- Are the feathers from a specific bird?
- Are the seashells a significant color or shape?
- Does the date on the coin mean anything?
These items might also reappear in locations that are significant to the message. You may even find it on a certain photograph or object that provides context to the warning. You might lose your favorite necklace only to find it in a room you hadn’t gone in that day, on top of your loved one’s will. This might be a sign to look through it a little more carefully.
Necromancy is the practice of magic involving communication with the dead by summoning their spirits as apparitions or visions for the purpose of divination. While finding special objects or trinkets may not be as dramatic, it is a subtle form of communication from the other side.
Hearing Songs That Remind You of Them
When you hear your deceased loved one’s favorite song, they are reaching out to you through the music. If you’re listening to the radio or walking into a store and their song comes on, it’s a sign they are with you and want you to remember how much they love you. You might also get the song stuck in your head or notice yourself humming it out of the blue.
Your loved one might also send you a series of songs with a similar theme or message that answers a question you have about a certain situation. They might communicate through a song title or a certain line that reminds you of them right when you’re already thinking about them.
I was looking for a shortcut through grief, but there is no shortcut. Whether you like it or not, the soundtrack to your life might be more Billie Eilish than Bruno Mars at times.
Being Visited by Them in a Dream
When a loved one has a message for you, they will often appear in dreams. It’s easier for their spirit to manifest in dreams than in the physical world. Plus, you’re more receptive to their advice and guidance in dreams, whereas while awake your mind is often busy, preoccupied, or more closed off.
Sometimes your loved one may appear in the background of your dream, but it is also possible to have much more intimate contact with them where important messages, insights, and even symbolic gifts can be given directly. Either of these encounters can leave a lasting impression and, unlike normal dreams, spiritual dreams are clear, coherent, and often contextual.
- They may converse with you and give you a direct message.
- They might just want to spend time with you.
- Sometimes, they don’t have time to share their message.
It is much easier for the spirit of your loved one to connect with you in your dream state than it is for them to reach you on the physical plane.
Experiencing Strange Electrical Occurrences
For spirits to communicate with you in the physical realm, they must tap into an energy source. Electricity is one of the easier energy sources to tap into, but it leads to strange electrical occurrences for you. If you’ve been noticing lights flickering, or even turning on and off, your loved one is trying to communicate with you.
Pay attention to when these electrical disturbances occur and trust your gut to decide if they’re coincidences or if they might mean something more.
- Lights flickering or turning on and off
- Fully-charged phones dropping to low power
- Radios changing stations
At the end of the day we are all just energy; death means we transfer from one vibration of energy to another. It makes sense therefore that those in the spirit realm find it easy to manipulate electricity.
Noticing Repeating Numbers
Repeating numbers, also known as angel numbers, are a way that loved ones in the spiritual realm communicate. If you are noticing the same numbers appearing frequently, such as looking at the clock at the same time or noticing number sequences in license plates or phone numbers, your deceased loved one is sending you a message.
The numbers might have a personal meaning, such as a birthday or anniversary, or they might be repeating numbers. The repeating could be the same number (111, 222) or be a pattern (4141). According to numerology, each number has a special vibration and meaning. If you want to decode the message from the numbers you’re seeing, numerologists at Keen can help.
Some people see repetition of numbers like 11:11 or patterns like 2121 possibly even number combinations that relate to special dates like birthdays, anniversaries or the date or time of death.
Seeing Orbs or Flashes of Light
Seeing orbs or flashes of light can be a profound experience, often interpreted as a sign that a loved one is present. Advancement of technology has allowed for photography to capture these balls of electrical energy, known as orbs, which are believed to be spirits. If you take a photograph and notice circular balls of energy around you, this is a sign your loved one is present.
It is very common after a loved one dies to experience odd and strange occurrences and phenomena. Orbs (or balls of light – considered to be manifestations of energy) can appear, hover, or move around a room. Orbs can also be seen in photographs even though no one noticed anything in the room when the photo was taken. Many people speak of seeing sparkling or shimmering lights, sometimes flashing or twinkling lights in their peripheral vision but nothing is there when they turn to look.
When your loved ones pass over, they become pure energy. They can attract our attention by manipulating energy so that we see shimmering lights and orbs.
Conclusion
Recognizing the signs that death may be near can be a deeply emotional and spiritual experience. Whether you are a family member, friend, or healthcare worker, understanding these signs can help you provide comfort and support to those who are nearing the end of their life. While some signs are more physical and others more spiritual, each serves as a reminder of the natural cycle of life and death. By being attentive and compassionate, you can help ease the transition for your loved one, making their final moments as peaceful and meaningful as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common spiritual signs that death is near?
Common spiritual signs include visits from deceased family members, visioning, sensing their presence, seeing an animal or insect, finding special objects or trinkets, hearing songs that remind you of them, being visited by them in a dream, experiencing strange electrical occurrences, noticing repeating numbers, and seeing orbs or flashes of light.
Can people really sense when they are going to die?
There is evidence to suggest that some people may experience one or more signs indicating that death is near. These signs can be spiritual or physical in nature and may be more noticeable in individuals who are terminally ill or in hospice care.
What is ‘visioning’ in the context of nearing death?
Visioning refers to the experience where dying individuals report seeing people in the room talking to them, visiting them, or coming to get them. They may use language related to taking a trip, packing, or going home, and may reach out their hands as if to greet someone.
Why do people see animals or insects as a sign of death?
Seeing animals or insects is often interpreted as a spiritual sign because certain creatures are believed to carry messages from the deceased or the spiritual realm. These sightings are thought to be symbolic and provide comfort or guidance to those nearing death or their loved ones.
What should I do if I notice these signs in a terminally ill person?
If you notice these signs in a terminally ill person, it is important to provide comfort and support. Allow them to share their experiences and feelings openly. Consulting with healthcare providers can also help manage any physical symptoms they may be experiencing.
Are these signs always distressing for the person experiencing them?
Not necessarily. Some of these signs are a normal part of the dying process and may not be upsetting or distressing. However, symptoms like pain, nausea, and breathlessness can be uncomfortable. It’s important to speak with the person’s doctor or nurse to manage these symptoms effectively.