Dreaming of a loved one who has passed can be a profoundly moving experience. These vivid encounters—often called “visitation dreams”—frequently occur during grief, bringing comfort, closure, or even unanswered questions. Unlike ordinary dreams, they feel strikingly real, as if the departed has returned, if only for a moment, to offer solace or reassurance. For many,…

Dreaming of a loved one who has passed can be a profoundly moving experience. These vivid encounters—often called “visitation dreams”—frequently occur during grief, bringing comfort, closure, or even unanswered questions. Unlike ordinary dreams, they feel strikingly real, as if the departed has returned, if only for a moment, to offer solace or reassurance. For many, these dreams become sacred spaces where love transcends loss.

Neuroscientist Dr. Patrick McNamara, who studies these phenomena, describes visitation dreams as uniquely impactful. After experiencing one himself, he noted how they blur the line between memory and presence, leaving dreamers with an enduring sense of connection. “Whether your brain is healing or something more mystical is at play,” he says, “the comfort they provide is undeniably real.”

Studies back this up. Research shows that over 70% of grievers describe these dreams as visitations, often featuring their loved ones happy and at peace. Many wake feeling reassured, their belief in an enduring bond strengthened. For some, it’s a fleeting goodbye; for others, a ongoing dialogue that softens the sharp edges of sorrow.

These dreams don’t follow a timeline—they might arrive in the raw early days of grief or decades later. What matters is their gift: a chance to feel nearness when physical presence is gone. Have you ever been visited in a dream? Your story could be a light for someone navigating their own loss.