Death Bed Visions

By
Carla Wills-Brandon, Ph.D.

Death Bed Visions come in all shapes and sizes. Some people receive visitations from deceased relatives while others encounter angels, or religious figures. Many of the accounts contained in Carla Wills-Brandon's book, One Last Hug Before I Go: The Mystery and Meaning of Death Bed Visions, discuss seeing a wisp of "something" leaving the body of a friend or relative at the moment of passing. This phenomenon is nothing new. It has been described over and over again, for as long as time can remember.

Those who are about to leave will often talk about seeing beautiful landscapes on the other side and then state this is where they will be after they pass. In most cases, once one has had such a vision, death is no longer something to fear. Death Bed Visions bring comfort not only to the dying, but to those who love them. In this article, Carla presents some Frequently Asked Questions about Death Bed, or Departing, Visions. When you have finished reading this, please check out our special announcement at the bottom of this page about the new Transition Teams' Section that has just been launched on our sister site, www.lightworker.com

What is a departing vision (often called a death bed vision)? Most Hospice workers are very familiar with departing or deathbed visions, but sometimes these experiences are difficult to put into words.

A death bed vision or DBV is a powerful, comforting experience the dying and their family members often encounter just before death occurs. The dying will report visions of angels, deceased loved ones, or religious figures, moments, hours, days or even weeks before actual death takes place. These visions typically lessen the fear of dying and make passing an easier transition for all concerned.

Family members at the death bed of a loved one who are not familiar with the death bed vision phenomenon will often ask healthcare workers and Hospice caretakers, "Couldn't these 'visions' just be the by- product of a dying brain?

In the 1920s, 1960s and 1970s, several researchers asked these exact same questions. These researchers decided to put this phenomenon to the test. What they discovered was astounding. The visions of the dying most often were those of deceased relatives. During the vision, deceased relatives would appear to the dying person to offer support, guidance and assistance as death drew near. Interestingly, in some deathbed vision accounts, the dying individual received visitations from relatives s/he did not know were already deceased. While scientifically investigating this phenomenon they also discovered that these departing visions have been reported by the dying for centuries. Even President Abraham Lincoln had a 'deathbed vision', just before his own assassination.

When DBVs are reported, Hospice workers and healthcare providers are often confronted with a number of questions from confused family members, such as "What about wishful thinking, related to a fear of death? Maybe my loved one is imagining all of this."

The above would be a simple explanation, but the DBV phenomenon is not that cut and dried. One researcher compared the DBVs of dying Americans with those of people in India. Thousands of nurses and doctors were interviewed and asked what they had witnessed as death drew near. DBVs were often reported. Except for a few religious differences, the DBVs of both cultures were incredibly similar. The consistency of the experiences between those dying in America and those in India has guided me to believe there is more to the DBV experience than wishful thinking.

Hospice workers and healthcare providers are also often asked, "How about medication? Medications can certainly induce hallucinations."

Many of the individuals who have reported these visions were not on medications and were, up to the moment of death, very coherent. Those who are on medications have also shared visions similar to those who are not on medications. Finally, well, alert, sober family members and friends of the dying have had DBVs. Along with this, Hospice workers and healthcare providers have also reported DBV experiences.

Are the DBVs of family members, friends and healthcare professionals similar to those of the dying?

Interestingly yes! These individuals can also receive visitations from deceased relatives (in some cases they too were not aware the dying person was actually preparing to pass), angels or religious figures. Like those reported by the dying, dreams of "heaven" or communication with other worldly figures also have been reported by those attending the dying. In many situations, loved ones of the dying will have a visitation from the person who is passing at the moment of death. In other words, a loved one at home, may be awakened from a deep sleep by a feeling, knowing that passing has occurred or even by a vision of the dying person (who is at the hospital or in another location). Many of these individuals then receive a phone call minutes later confirming death.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has understanding DBVs helped you assist those who are in grief?

In many cases, bereaved individuals will come to me and say, "I had a rather strange experience just before Uncle Joe passed," or "While Mom was dying, she started talking to all of the dead relatives as if they were right there, in the room with her!" For those who have had such experiences, my own personal and professional involvement with DBVs validates their encounters. My sharing of my experiences and of those I have collected, allows these individuals to feel "normal" about their experiences. These individuals usually walk away from my office feeling very relieved to have found someone who understands.

For those who are dying, DBV information offers them comfort, validates any visions they might have had or may have in the future, and lessons the fear of death. With individuals seeking answers to questions about death, DBV information often propels them into resolving their own issues around dying.

Why did you decide to write One Last Hug Before I Go: The Mystery And Meaning Of Deathbed Visions?

This is my 8th and most important book to date because it is so personal. My son experienced a DBV when his grandfather died. I too had a DBV when my own mother passed. Over the last 20 years I have heard numerous accounts of DBVs not only from the dying, but also from those who love them. Sadly, I have often been the first person they ever discuss these blessed events with. Fear of societal judgment keeps many of us silent and a lack of validation often creates confusions.

My job as a healthcare provider has been to validate DBVs for those patients of mine who report them, and to then use them for processing grief and developing a sense of spiritual wellness. It is the lack of public awareness about the DBV phenomenon that convinced me to write this book. DBVs are a neglected source of peace and comfort to all those involved. This must change. Today, I have no absolute answers regarding life after death, but I do strongly believe the DBV experience must not continue to be ignored.

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Carla Wills-Brandon, Ph.D., is the author of 8 published books with topics ranging from grief to self-esteem, trauma resolution, and spirituality. She has appeared on a number of television programs and lectured across America and the United Kingdom. Ms. Wills-Brandon continues to work in private practice with her husband of 25 years, Michael Brandon, Ph.D. For more information about her latest book,

One Last Hug Before I Go: The Mystery and Meaning of Deathbed Visions (2000) HCI Publications Email: doreenh@hcibooks.com. Telephone 1-800-851-9100 or visit Wills-Brandon's website at http://www.carla.wills.brandon.net

Editor's note: Those of you who are familiar with the work of Steve Rother and the Group will be aware that some time ago the Group revealed that in the days of Mu it was common for people to make a contract with another person to be their 'transition assistant.' This person, with whom they would often form a strong bond of friendship, would act as an aide to the 'transitioner' at appropriate moments in their life, supporting them when life-changing decisions and new directions presented themselves, as well as through times of illness and, of course, the greatest transition of all, which we commonly (and mistakenly) refer to as 'death'.

More recently, the Group announced that it is now it is now time for the Transition Teams to form and once again play their own invaluable role in our society. In accordance with the Group's advice, Steve has now launched a separate section on his website, specifically for the Transition Teams, which will be edited by one of our staff writers and section editors, Twyla, who has particular experience in this area. Here you will find articles, information, helpful links, and a special Transition Team Message Board where you can interact with others who share an interest in this particular topic. It is our shared vision that in time this section will grow to encompass a directory of Transition Team members - people who are prepared to act as a friend, aide and support to anyone who may be undergoing any form of transition (not just the big one) in their life. We hope that you will visit The Transition Teams' Section often.