10 Types of Death Dreams and What They Mean

Published by
Janey Davies, B.A. (Hons)

Death dreams can be a way of our subconscious mind to convey important messages about different aspects of our lives. What do they mean?

Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to have a dream in which a loved one has died will know that it can be a very upsetting experience. But dreaming about death does not necessarily mean that someone will die. Death dreams can relate to many different aspects of our lives. This can be the ending of an important phase in our lives, the start of a new beginning, overcoming a bad habit or even recognizing that an aspect of yourself that has ended.

It all depends on who has died in your dream and the nature of their death. When we dream, people in our dreams tend to symbolize different aspects of our personality or life. It is important, therefore, to understand what this person represents for you.

If for instance, an old person dies in your dream, it could signify a time to shed old habits that are becoming destructive. If a child has died, perhaps the underlying message is that you should start acting in a more and responsible manner.

Here are some of the most common death dreams and their meanings:

1. Death of yourself

If you are the person that has died in your dream, this could mean a number of things. You could feel like you are always making sacrifices and no one notices, or that it is time to put yourself first. It could also be a wake-up call, time to end unhealthy habits and practices that could be putting your life in danger.

2. Death of a baby

This is a very common dream where new mums realize the importance of their duty regarding their new-born babies. New mums come face to face with the fact that they alone are responsible for their baby’s safety.

3. Death of a child

A very common dream that older parents might have and typically occurs at a time when their children are leaving the nest. The parents are actually mourning their children’s childhood and the fact that it is now over.

4. Death of a parent

If your parents are not dead and you dream that they are, it could be your unconscious mind worrying about losing them in the future. This is especially true if they are elderly. If your parents have passed away, you are taking this opportunity to say goodbye for the last time.

5. Death of a sibling

Dreaming that your brother or sister is dead could an indication that in your busy life you have not got the time to properly spend with them. Take time out to tell them what they meant to you and remember happier times together.

6. Death of a husband or wife

Anyone that dreams that their most precious loved one has died might be unconsciously admitting to themselves that they are lacking in a certain quality that their partner possessed. To understand this death dream in more detail, explore what it is about your loved one that you particularly admire or love, and see if it is a quality that you lack.

7. Dreaming of someone who is already dead

Dreaming about dead people could be a warning that you are being influenced by the wrong people in your life. It could also mean that a situation in your life should be resolved and it is time for you to move on.

8. Death of a stranger

If you don’t know the person that has died in your dream, then this is an indication that there are changes going on around you but you feel completely detached from them.

9. You find a dead body

It is important to look at the circumstances surrounding the discovery of this dead body. Is it someone you know? When and where was the body found? Do you know the reason why the person is dead? Once you have these answers, look to your own life and see if there is any correlation between the two.

10. You killed someone

To dream of actually committing murder and being on the run from the police is an indication that some pervious guilty feelings or a bad judgment you made recently are coming back to haunt you.

Death dreams can be particularly distressing. However, most experts agree that dreams about death, despite their disturbing nature, are reminders that life itself is precious and to be coveted.

References:

  1. https://www.psychologytoday.com
  2. https://dreams.ucsc.edu

View Comments

  • What does it mean if my mum had a dream the my nan who has passed away spoke to her in a dream and told her that I need to call her cause she wanted to talk to me

  • I had a dream about avenging a young girls death and was determined even though no one else was to find out who killed her, and some where in my dream nouns were involved, they were chasing me because they thought I was some sort of “freak” for visiting I think it was the home of the little girl who passed away(not sure) and when they caught me I had to explain to them what I was doing, and when I showed them who I was(I was wearing a mask) they applauded me as if they knew me and then left me alone to I assume continue on my quest to avenge the little girls death. I did not know any of the people in my dream what could this dream possibly mean?

  • I had a dream when my brother and I went to a zoo and when we got near the pool he thought it would be nice to take a picture of the animals but then he fell inside the pool and got eaten and ripped apart.That was a horrible experience to take in.

  • I took a brief nap today an had a dream about a mass death. Like a HUGE freak accident on a highway I was on. I was watching people everywhere get crushed by things and run over etc and somehow the car I was in wasn't damaged until I suddenly ended up on my feet walking around in the chaos. It seemed like the more I moved forward was the more the accident continued until I woke up. I didn't wake with a start. It was just a normal 'get-up' from my nap. I can't find anything on a dream like this.

  • i am always dreaming a dead persons, while in my dreams i normally talking sometimes they are two or three persons, please can someone to voluntarily to interprete,,

Published by
Janey Davies, B.A. (Hons)