After-death communication (ADC) changes the finality associated with death by providing a sense of continuity in the relationship between the deceased and the bereaved and that this continuation indicates that death is not final.
This sense of continuity can reflect a belief that the deceased has transformed, and that their consciousness or soul continues on another plane of existence. The deceased are then understood by the bereaved, not as ceasing to be, but having entered a transformation into a spiritual form.
This continuity of the relationship is aligned with the concept of continuing bonds, which is defined as an ongoing, internal relationship between a bereaved person and the dead loved one.
The idea of continuing bonds in the bereaved is regarded as a key factor in reducing the pain of grief due to the sense of connection found when bonds are maintained via separation rather than physical presence. An ADC can reinforce this continuing relationship and help with unresolved difficulties of the relationship, thereby reducing some of the barriers in reducing grief.
References:
A full list of references is available in the Reference Material section.
- Koedam, I. (2015). In the Light of Death: Experiences on the threshold between life and death. Hove: White Crow Books.
- McCormick, B. and Tassell-Matamua, N. (2016). After-Death Communication: A Typology of Therapeutic Benefits. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 34(3)
- Silverman, P.R. and Klass, D. (1996) Introduction: What’s the problem? In: Klass, D., Silverman, P.R. and Nickman, S.L. eds. (1996) Continuing bonds. New Understandings of Grief. Abingdon: Taylor and Francis.
