Nurses at a hospice often know when a patient is about to die because they see very strong visions, according to neurologist Dr Chris Kerr, chief medical officer and chief executive officer at Hospice Buffalo. He told The Times that nursing staff 'always know' when someone's death is imminent, based on the growing frequency of these events.
Visions Bring Comfort
Dr Kerr explained that patients approaching the end of their lives experience dreams and visions that often bring considerable comfort. A strong sign is when patients start to see deceased loved ones. 'These final visions give patients profound solace,' he said.
His research, including a TED Talk titled 'I see dead people: dreams and visions of the dying' with 5.5 million views, shows these visions are distinctly different from ordinary dreams, being remarkably vivid and immersive. A 2014 study in the Journal of Palliative Medicine found that almost nine in ten dying patients report at least one end-of-life dream or vision (ELDV).
Reconciliation and Peace
About 10 per cent of patients have distressing end-of-life dreams where traumatic events are replayed. Dr Kerr noted that reconciliation and forgiveness are common themes, giving people the peace they need to let go of life. He shared an example of John, a Second World War veteran haunted by survivor's guilt, who in his final days saw a vision of returning to Normandy, where a deceased comrade told him they had come to fetch him home.
The phenomenon first struck Dr Kerr at age 12 when his dying father spoke of going on their annual fishing trip together. A priest dismissed it as delusion, but Kerr sensed his father was experiencing peace. Another case involved Sierra, a young mother in her twenties, who found comfort when her late grandfather appeared in a vision to say he was proud of her.
Terminal Lucidity Connection
ELDVs are associated with terminal lucidity, where unconscious patients suddenly regain awareness and communicate before passing away. Dr Kerr explained that in the dying state, memories become unlocked, and the same revival may occur in terminal lucidity.
He distinguishes ELDVs from near-death experiences (NDEs), noting that with ELDVs, people don't leave their bodies or have a big reveal of an afterlife. 'If you encounter your deceased child you don't need anyone to interpret the experience for you,' he said. 'While people are physically lessening, they are growing emotionally and spiritually.'
