The Dying Who See the Dead

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Father Joe

QUESTION:

My father recently passed unexpectedly. The days leading up to his death he kept seeing our dead relatives. Through research I find seeing passed relatives is common. I was curious if there is any explanation for this?

RESPONSE:

Yes, this is something I have also encountered in my ministry. I am at odds to give an explanation. I have heard that there are neurological reasons that would bypass any paranormal definition. I shudder to imagine that nature should seek to bring calm to the dying by fooling them with false visions of the beloved dead. It may be that there is a parallel and connection that we cannot analyze between the physical brain and the mind that is a property of the human soul. Hallucinations or dreams or visions of the dead seem to bring calm to the dying. Evidently in certain near-death experiences, such brings down blood pressure and heart-rates so that the afflicted might even survive. As a believer, I must attest to our hope that the Lord and the saints who have gone before us will welcome us into the heavenly kingdom.