Transitions: Exploring the Frontier

End-of-life experiences, such as near-death experiences (NDEs) and deathbed visions, include the phenomenon of deathbed escorts: visions of deceased loved ones who appear to guide the dying person through the transition from life. This article examines these experiences, drawing heavily on the foundational work of Robert and Beatrice Kastenbaum. Robert Kastenbaum, a pioneer in thanatology, extensively studied dying, death, and bereavement, and this frontier remains a subject of ongoing exploration.

Study at a glance

Abstract

End-of-life experiences go by various terms, including near-death experiences (NDEs), deathbed visions, deathbed phenomena, deathbed coincidences, and nearing death awareness. Deathbed escorts is the term applied to the vision of deceased family members or friends who inform the dying person that they will be accompanied in the transition from life. In this article, I examine the subject of NDEs and deathbed escorts, starting with the rich body of work provided by Robert and Beatrice Kastenbaum. A subject of some interest to Robert Kastenbaum, he explored this frontier in his many writings on dying, death, and bereavement. Ever the pioneer and having made the ultimate transition, he may yet be exploring new frontiers.