After-Death Communications (ADCs) could be experiences in which a living person perceives contact or communication from someone who has died. These experiences could be widely reported in grief research and are discussed in both clinical psychology and parapsychology.
1. What an ADC Is
An After-Death Communication is any subjective experience in which a bereaved person feels they receive a message, presence, or contact from the deceased.
They often occur spontaneously, without attempts to summon spirits, and are commonly reported during the early stages of bereavement.
2. Common Types of ADCs
Reports could tend to fall into several categories:
1. Sensed Presence
The bereaved person might strongly feels the deceased nearby.
Examples:
- Feeling someone sit on the bed
- Feeling watched or protected
- A sudden emotional wave of the person’s presence
2. Visual Apparitions
The person briefly sees the deceased.
Features:
- Often vivid and realistic
- Usually short (seconds to minutes)
- The figure may appear peaceful or younger.
3. Auditory Communications
Hearing the deceased’s voice.
Examples:
- Hearing their name called
- Hearing comforting words like “I’m okay.”
4. Dream Visitations
Very common ADC type.
Characteristics:
- Extremely vivid dreams
- Clear message or emotional closure
- The deceased appears healthy and calm.
5. Tactile Experiences
Physical sensations such as:
- A touch on the shoulder
- Feeling a hug
- Bed movement
6. Symbolic Signs
People interpret unusual events as communication.
Examples:
- Objects moving
- Electronics turning on
- Meaningful coincidences.
3. How Common Are ADCs?
Some research might suggest they are surprisingly common.
Studies indicate:
- Some of bereaved people report at least one ADC.
- They occur across cultures, religions, and belief systems.
- Many experiencers were not expecting them.
This is why grief researchers consider them a normal aspect of bereavement for many people.
4. Some Psychological Interpretation
In clinical psychology, ADCs could often interpreted as part of the grief adaptation process.
Possible explanations include:
- Memory activation of the deceased
- Dream processing
- Emotional coping mechanisms
- The brain maintaining a continuing bond with the loved one.
The model might argue that healthy grieving often includes maintaining an inner relationship with the deceased.
5. Parapsychological Interpretation
Some parapsychologists consider several possibilities:
- Survival Hypothesis
The consciousness of the deceased survives death and communicates. - Psi-Mediated Experience (Super-Psi)
The living person unconsciously uses psi abilities (telepathy, clairvoyance) to create the experience. - Living-Agent Psi Model
The experience is produced by the mind of the experiencer rather than the deceased.
Some of these models are discussed in modern research organizations such as Parapsychological Association and the Society for Psychical Research.
6. Differences from Psychiatric Hallucinations
Some researchers emphasize that ADCs typically differ from pathological hallucinations.
Common differences:
| ADC | Psychiatric Hallucination |
|---|---|
| Usually comforting | Often distressing |
| Occurs during grief | Linked to mental disorder |
| Rare and brief | Persistent or frequent |
| Person retains insight | Often loss of insight |
Because of these differences, many psychologists view ADCs as non-pathological grief experiences.
Key Point:
For some people, ADCs are not considered mental illness but a subjectively meaningful experience during bereavement.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 