Grieving-Spiritual Experiences as Adaptive Processes: L W Easterling,, J Parker, K Adams, B Hyde, Neimeyer
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research June 12, 2026 Charles Peck Jr
Dreams about the deceased have been recorded since at least 2100 B.C. in Egypt. Research indicates that spirituality is an emerging field in grief studies, with evidence that spiritual experiences can facilitate healing. Studies show that continuing bonds with the deceased can be adaptive, and spiritual or religious belief systems are associated with better grief outcomes. Dreams of the deceased help people cope with loss, and children can find meaning and spiritual impact in such dreams. A hospice study found that 58% of 278 participants reported their dreams of the deceased as pleasant or both pleasant and disturbing. Meaning in suffering, as Viktor Frankl noted, is crucial to enduring it.