Have you ever had one of those dreams where one of your loved ones dies—like your best friend, a family member, or even some stranger you don't even know—and you wake up sort of all confused? Possibly a little relieved it was just a dream, but also sort of shaken? I completely understand. It was so vivid, and I kept wondering whether it was an omen for something terrible to happen. Guess what? I'm not alone—apparently, about 70% of people have this type of dream at some point. Weird, huh?
Here at DreamSwan, we've discovered that these dreams typically aren't about real death. Rather, they're more like your mind's method of handling large changes, concerns, or emotions you haven't worked through yet. So, if you're curious as to what's happening in your mind—or if you're simply interested in dreams in general—let's dive in and discover what these dreams could be communicating to you. I'm looking forward to exploring this with you!

What Could Your Dream Be Saying?
Dreams are silly, aren't they? They're sort of like secret messages from your brain, and when someone dies in one, there's usually something deeper going on. It's not actually about someone dying—it's about what's happening with you. Let's try to break it down with some ideas that might work for your dream.

A Big Change Might Be Coming
Occasionally, a death dream is your mind's way of being like, "Hey, a part of your life is over, and another's beginning." Perhaps you're considering changing careers, relocating somewhere new, or even just becoming a bit more grown-up. I once dreamed that my previous teacher passed away, and it occurred when I was on the verge of leaving my work. It wasn't about her—it was about me getting ready to be done with that job. It's like your brain is processing a major change, not foretelling something fearful.

Feelings You Haven't Addressed
These types of dreams are also how your brain can work out things you've been putting off—such as sadness, fear, or even anger. If you recently lost someone, or you fear losing someone, this dream could be your mind releasing those emotions. I've had dreams about my deceased grandpa, and they always leave me a bit sad but also lighter, as if I finally allowed myself to miss him. Does that feel like something you've experienced?

Worrying About Losing Someone
If you're having a dream in which someone you love dies, it could simply be because you're afraid of losing them. Perhaps things haven't been going so well with them lately, or you're anxious about their well-being. It's like your mind is telling you, "Don't take this person for granted." I've dreamed about my mom like that when we weren't speaking, and it made me immediately want to call her.

Perhaps It's a Spiritual Thing
This section is awesome because it's all about where you come from and what you believe. In some cultures, such as some Native American ones, to dream of dying could be a sign that you're on a spiritual journey or that you have something to mend in your life. Some people even believe that it's a deceased loved one trying to send you a sign—like they're watching out for you. I've always questioned what my dreams are about in that sense. What do you make of that, though?

What Death Means to You
This one's really personal—what does death mean to you? For some, maybe it feels like liberation, like releasing something that's been weighing you down, like a crappy friend or a terrible job. For some, it may create fear, revealing to you something you must confront. A friend of mine had a dream in which a stranger died, and it reminded her that she was afraid of all the uncertainties in her life since she had moved to a different city. What do you associate death with?

The one thing about dreams is they're all about you. So, consider what's happening in your life currently. Does your dream seem like it's pointing to something? I'd love to know what you think it's about.

What People Throughout History Have Said About These Dreams
Death dreams have been a huge subject for a while now, and I love the various ways that other people have approached them. It's kind of like seeing a bunch of different angles on the same puzzle—let's take a look at a couple.

What Psychologists Think
There’s this guy Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist, who thought dreams were about hidden wishes. So, a dream about death might mean you’re secretly scared of something or want to get away from a tough situation.

Another psychologist, Carl Jung, had another idea. He believed death in dreams was all about transforming and evolving—like surrendering an old aspect of yourself to evolve into someone new. I love that one; it sounds so upbeat.

Today, dream interpreters will tell you these dreams are all about stress, particularly if you're in the midst of making some huge transition. Like, if you dream your dad passed away, it's really more about you stressing about how you're going to get through life without his guidance when you're older.

What Different Cultures Say
Here in the West, we typically consider these dreams as a means of interpreting our fears or transformations in our lives.

But in countries like Japan, some view death dreams as a sign of beginning anew or waking up spiritually, which I believe is so lovely.

In other Native American cultures, these dreams could be communications from deceased family members. I heard somebody tell about dreaming about their grandma, and they thought she was talking to them. It gave me the chills!

The Spiritual Side
Some individuals think that these dreams have to do with larger things, such as perhaps tapping into past lives or receiving communication from someone who has passed away. I've spoken with individuals who claim they may be your soul getting through with things from a long, long time ago. If you're more of a science person or the spiritual aspects, I believe these dreams are an opportunity to understand more about you. At DreamSwan, we enjoy exploring both possibilities to assist you in determining what feels authentic to you. Are you a science person or the spiritual aspects? I'd love to hear!


Some Common Dreams About Death

Dreams about someone dying can happen in lots of different ways, and each one can mean something special for you. I’ve heard so many stories about these kinds of dreams—some of them even happened to me. Let’s look at a few common ones and what they might be about.  

Your Loved One Dies in the Dream
This one can feel so scary, can’t it? It’s really common, though. It could mean something's shifting between you and this person, or perhaps you fear losing them. I once dreamed that my closest friend died, and we had been fighting some. It made me realize how much I did not want to lose our friendship. It is not necessarily about them dying—it is about what you feel. 

You Die in the Dream
This one might be a huge shock! But it's typically about change, not really death. Perhaps you're ready to let go of an old part of yourself, such as a job you don't like anymore. Or perhaps it's about fearing you'll screw up. A user dreamed that she died in a fire, and it caused her to recognize that she needed to slow down in life. At DreamSwan, we believe it's a message to consider what is preventing you. Did you ever dream something like that? You See Someone Die If you dream of seeing someone die, it could be because you feel helpless about something. Such as, perhaps your friend is not doing well, and you can't do anything to assist them. It is your mind attempting to process that feeling. I've had dreams like this with people I don't even know, and for me, it was about being out of control of things that were going on around me.

You're at a Funeral
This one tends to indicate that you're releasing something. It might be an old habit, a friend, or even a part of yourself that you've outgrown.  It's like a little goodbye party in your head. Is that like any dream you've experienced? You See a Dead Body This can be a bit creepy, but it generally indicates something in your life is stuck. Perhaps there's a situation or a friendship that isn't working, and your dream is telling you, "Hey, do something about this." I had a dream once where I found a body in my bedroom, and it made me realize I needed to cut off a friendship that wasn't healthy for me anymore. It's your brain nudging you to get moving. Someone Murders You or You

Witness a Murder
This one's a bit rough, I know. It could mean that you're scared or hurt about something—like a difficult time at work or with a friend. Or possibly about ending an old habit or fear. I used to have a dream like this, and it made me understand that I felt quite small in a professional situation—I ended up standing up for myself after that. What do you think a dream like this can mean for you? Each dream is unique, so these are merely suggestions to begin with. Consider how you were feeling and what's happening in your life to determine what applies. Having a death dream that's stuck with you? Post it for me—I'd love to assist you in deciphering it.

Wrapping It Up
Dreams that you're dying aren't mere horror stories your brain invents—these are a means for your subconscious to communicate with you, revealing to you emotions, fears, or shifts you may need to consider.
I've had a lot of these dreams myself, and sitting down to write them out and actually consider what they're trying to tell me has helped me get to know myself so much better.
It's like a little window into what's happening in there.
Here at DreamSwan, we're all about teaching you to use your dreams to get to know yourself better, so go ahead and wade in and find out what they have to say. Feel like continuing the exploration? Subscribe to our newsletter at DreamSwan for further advice on how to interpret your dreams, or follow us on social media for inspiration daily. I’d love to hear about any dreams you’ve had—drop your story below, and let’s figure out what it means together!