12 reasons you dream of someone dying (who is still alive)

When you dream of someone dying, it can feel like a premonition.

It might conjure up your worst fears and leave you feeling anxious and scared. But what do such dreams really mean?

If you’re worried about someone after dreaming of them dying, it’s easy to get paranoid that their death could be imminent. However, these dreams can also have a much less sinister interpretation.

It’s clear that the human brain is capable of registering strong emotions even when we are fast asleep.

These feelings often originate from recent experiences in waking life and surface as images or short scenarios in our nightmares or dreams.

Most frequently, death in dreams is triggered by our own worries, fears, and insecurities.

Let’s take a closer look at the possible reasons for your dream:

1) You’re worried about them

First of all, if you dream about the death of a loved one – such as a family member or friend – it could be your way of processing your fears and worries about their health or general well-being.  

It’s normal to feel anxious or upset if someone close to you is unwell, so it’s very likely that your mind is making this connection in your dreams.

Similarly, if you have recently experienced the death of a loved one, you’re probably quite shaken and scared that someone else you love could die.

That is why you dream about the death of someone who is still alive – because you’re afraid of losing them too.

2) There is some unspoken tension in your relationship

If you have unspoken tension in your relationship with someone, dreaming about their death may be a way for your subconscious to release some of that tension.

For example, you might be feeling resentful towards them for something they’ve done or neglected to do, or you might be feeling guilty for something you’ve done wrong towards them.

Dreaming about someone dying is a common way for people to deal with their own guilt or repressed emotions.

If you’re dreaming of someone you love dying, you might want to work on your relationship with them.

3) You feel guilty for not being there for them

Another reason for your dream could be guilt.

Do you find yourself beating yourself up because you don’t feel like you’re there for them?

• Perhaps the person you’re dreaming of lives far away and you feel guilty for not visiting them more often.
• Perhaps the person you’re dreaming of is ill and you feel guilty for not spending more time with them.
• Or maybe they’re struggling with depression or addiction and you feel guilty for not being able to help them.

Whatever the reason, you might be dreaming about someone dying because you feel like you’re letting them down.

4) You’re afraid of being abandoned

Death is the ultimate abandonment when you think about it.

So if you have a history of abandonment, it’s understandable that you’d be scared of it happening again.

That’s why a dream about a loved one dying could be a reflection of your fears about being abandoned.

It’s terrible to live in constant fear of being abandoned by those close to you – every time you have a falling out with someone, you wonder if you’ll ever see them again. No wonder you’re having nightmares.

The death of that person in your dream symbolizes the “death” of your relationship.

It may help reassure you to talk to them about your fight and about your fears. Let them know how much they mean to you. I’m sure they don’t want to lose you either!

5) You feel a loss of control

Here’s another reason you could be dreaming of someone dying: the dream symbolizes your fear of loss of control.

So, what does the loss of control have to do with a dream about death?

Well, we don’t really have any control over death, do we? I mean, doctors can save people’s lives, but we don’t have a say in when we’re going to die. We can die at any moment. It’s not something we can control.

That’s why we often dream about death when we’re facing a major life change or transition – something out of our control. These can be positive changes, like getting married or having a baby. But they can also be negative changes, like losing your job or going through a divorce.

The stress and anxiety you may feel over your loss of control are likely to result in nightmares – such as people dying.

So if you’ve been having these types of dreams, it’s important to take a step back and assess what’s going on in your life.

Once you identify the source of your anxiety, you can start to work on managing it. And that can help reduce the frequency of these types of dreams.

This brings us to our next point:

6) You’re worried about the future

Although we can control some things, there are others that we cannot.

The future is uncertain and uncertainty can be quite scary.

Dreams about someone dying can be triggered by anxiety about the future and the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty.

If you’re worried about a major life change, it’s not surprising that you might dream about death. But don’t worry, it’s not a sign that anything bad is going to happen.

Dreams about death are actually quite normal, and they rarely foreshadow actual events. So the next time you have a dream about someone who is still alive dying, don’t panic!

Think about what it is that is worrying you so much. Is it an exam or a work deadline? Are you having relationship trouble or financial difficulties?

Try to tell yourself that nobody knows what the future holds and worrying about it is just a waste of energy. Work on taking things as they come.

7) You miss the person in your dream

Dreaming about a close friend or family member dying could be a manifestation of your longing to see them or have more time with them.

If you have recently lost contact with someone or they have moved away, this dream could be your way of processing those emotions.

Basically, your dream is your subconscious letting you know that you need to make more of an effort to stay in touch with them because life is short.

8) You’re scared of your own mortality

Dreams are not always literal. That means that you can dream about someone else dying, but really, their death symbolizes your own.

Perhaps something happened recently to make you realize that you are mortal and that you too will die one day.

Now, maybe that thought is so scary that you don’t dare to face it even in your dreams. That’s why you dream about someone else’s death.

But look, no matter how scary the prospect of dying is, it’s a fact of life. And no matter how hard you try to avoid thinking about it, it’s always going to be lurking in the background.

You need to find a way to accept it and not obsess over it.

9) You feel betrayed by that person

Here’s an interesting one: Did you know that you could be dreaming about the death of someone because you feel betrayed by them?

Perhaps they have done something to hurt your feelings, or they have let you down in some way, and you feel like they have betrayed your trust.

Your subconscious may be trying to get you to confront your feelings and their death in your dream symbolizes a loss of trust.

10) End of a relationship

And sometimes, you just can’t get over a betrayal.

Your dream could actually be a reflection of your feelings about the end of a current relationship.

If someone has betrayed you in a way that you can’t forgive – like a partner cheating on you for example – the dream could be a way for you to process what’s going on, to mourn the death of the relationship.

11) A change is coming your way

If you dream of someone dying and it feels like a sign that a change is coming your way, it could be related to the current situation you are in.

Perhaps you are worried about being evicted from your apartment or losing your job.

Are there any other significant things in your dream to help you interpret what it might mean?

Other than someone dying, what else is happening in the dream?

Who is there? Where are you? How do you feel?

These are all clues about what your dream is trying to tell you. Once you know what the dream is about, you can work out how it relates to your waking life.

12) You’re in love with someone else

For some people, dreaming of the death of their partner is a way for the subconscious to express feelings of guilt for loving someone else.

Maybe you’ve been in your relationship for a long time and you still love your partner, but not in the same way. You’ve developed romantic feelings for someone else and it’s eating you up.

This is a very common reason why people dream of their loved ones dying, and it usually happens when you have a sudden surge of emotions that you have to process in your dream.

As painful as it may be, you need to decide if you want to stay with your partner or pursue a relationship with this other person.

What does it mean when you dream about dead loved ones coming back to life?

When you dream about dead loved ones coming back to life, it can be a beautiful and comforting sight.

If you have recently lost someone and are still processing the loss, seeing them in your dreams can bring a sense of peace and acceptance.

Seeing this person again means that you have not forgotten them or their importance in your life.

It’s also possible that the death of this loved one has not fully sunk in yet. You may need more time before eventually coming to terms with their passing.

In your dream, you may see a deceased relative walking around as if they never died.

So, what does it mean when you dream about dead loved ones coming back to life?

1) You are still mourning the loss

First of all, if you dream that a deceased loved one has come back to life, you may be in denial or shock.

You might not be ready to accept that this person has died and will not be coming back.

You may be experiencing very strong emotions as a result of their passing. If you saw the person die, or if the death was sudden and unexpected, you may be even more likely to have this type of dream.

Dreams can help you to process your feelings in a very effective way.

2) A final farewell

If a deceased loved one comes back to life in your dream and then dies again, this might be your subconscious way of giving them a final farewell.

You might have been very close to this person when they were alive, but you may not have been able to say goodbye to them before they passed away.

3) To let you know they are okay

Sometimes our loved ones come back to life in our dreams to let us know they’re okay.

A few days after my grandmother died I dreamt about her.

She was sitting in her favorite armchair, watching her soap opera. She turned to look at me and smiled.

That’s when I knew that the dream was a sign that I shouldn’t worry, she was okay. This dream really helped me move on with my life.

4) Your loved one is now watching over you

When your loved one comes back to life in a dream, it can indicate that they have now moved into a state of perpetual consciousness.

It is a common belief that the spirits of the people we love will watch over us even after they have passed on.

This can be a reassuring idea that makes it easier to cope with their absence.

When you dream that a dead loved one has come back to life and is now watching over you, it may mean that they are more present now than they ever were while they were alive.

Many people who have had this type of dream say that the person who came back to life in their dream felt more real than they ever did while they were alive. It is as if their spirit is now truly back with us.

5) It’s time to move on

A loved one coming back from the dead in a dream is often a symbol that it’s time to move on from the pain of their death.

While you are grieving, it can be hard to let go of the fact that your loved one is gone – especially if it was sudden or tragic.

When you dream about a loved one coming back from the dead but then moving on without you, it could mean that you are still holding onto their death and are unable to let go.

They come back to life in your dream because they want you to know they’re okay and they want you to let go and move on.

What does it mean when you dream of yourself dying?

If you dream about dying, it means that you have been feeling emotionally or physically very weak in your waking life.

Dying dreams are often accompanied by feelings of isolation, loneliness, and helplessness.

To have a dying dream is also common for people who have just gone through a stressful event, particularly a loss of a loved one, or a traumatic accident. This kind of dream is a manifestation of your desire to erase the negative emotions you are currently feeling.

Dying dreams can also occur if you have been experiencing a lot of guilt over something you have done, or if you have been feeling guilty about something you wish you had done. Dying dreams can also be a way for you to process intense feelings of grief and loss.

We dream of death when we’re stressed or anxious, particularly if we feel that we’re under too much pressure or can’t find a way out of our dilemma.

You’re likely to dream of death when you’re feeling overwhelmed and have lost hope of finding a solution to your problems.

Let’s take a look at the different ways you may die in your dream and what they mean:

1) Death by suicide

Dreaming about suicide can be a very disturbing experience. However, it is important to remember that dreams are not always literal. In many cases, they are symbolic representations of our innermost fears and desires.

So what does it mean if you dream about suicide?

There are a few different interpretations.

One is that you are feeling overwhelmed by some aspect of your life. This could be a job, a relationship, or even just day-to-day stressors. The dream may be a way of your subconscious mind telling you that you need to make a change.

Another interpretation is that you are feeling trapped and helpless. This could be in relation to a specific situation or to your life in general. The dream may be a way of your subconscious mind telling you that you need to take control and make some changes.

Finally, dreaming about suicide could also be a way for your subconscious mind to release pent-up emotions. If you have been bottling up your feelings, this dream may be a way of your mind telling you to let go and express yourself.

Whatever the interpretation, dreaming about suicide is definitely a cause for concern. If you keep having these kinds of dreams, it is important to talk to someone about them.

2) Death by natural causes

When you dream about dying from natural causes, it generally symbolizes new beginnings.

Dreams about death are often interpreted as a representation of change, transformation, or the end of something. In most cases, dreaming about your own death is a good sign. It usually means that you’re about to embark on a new chapter in your life.

This could be a new job, a new relationship, or a new phase in your current situation. It’s also a way for your subconscious to tell you that it’s time to let go of something that’s no longer serving you.

If you’ve been holding onto resentment, fear, or pain, dreaming about your death could be a sign that it’s time to let it go.

Whatever the case may be, dreaming about your death is a powerful symbol that should not be ignored.

3) Death by murder

If you dream about being murdered, it could mean several things:

• You’re feeling threatened. This dream could be a warning from your subconscious to be careful in a certain situation.
• It could also symbolize repressed anger or rage.
• If you have recently experienced a traumatic event, this dream could be a way for your mind to process what has happened.
• If you have a fear of death, this dream could be a manifestation of that fear.
• If you have been experiencing anxiety or stress in your life, this dream could be a way for your mind to release some of that tension.

4) Death by accident

Dreaming about dying in an accident could be a warning from your subconscious to take better care of yourself.

Maybe you’re not getting enough rest or you’re not eating as well as you should. Or maybe you’re working too hard and you need to take a break.

Whatever the case may be, it’s important to listen to your body and take care of yourself.

Dreams about dying in an accident can be scary, but they usually have a positive message.

Final thoughts

Dreams are a fascinating part of our neurological makeup, but they don’t always make sense.

When you dream of someone dying, it’s important to keep in mind that dreams are a reflection of your current state of mind. If something is bothering you, it’s likely to show up in your dreams.

It’s important not to jump to conclusions when you dream about someone dying. Try and understand what meaning the dream may have, but avoid over-analyzing.