Losing someone close is one of life’s hardest experiences, and many people find themselves dreaming about those who have passed away. These “visitation dreams,” as neuroscientist Patrick McNamara from Boston University explains, are “dreams of the bereaved where the dead appear to the bereaved in dreams and look to be very much alive.”

McNamara, who blogs under the name Dream Catcher for Psychology Today, described having such dreams after his parents’ deaths. “Now if I, an individual who studied dreams with a skeptical scientific cast of mind, could not shake the conviction that I had just communicated with my dead parents, how much stronger must be the conviction of someone with a less skeptical approach?” he wrote.

Studies suggest these dreams may help people cope with grief. A 2014 study in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care found that “dreams of the deceased occur frequently, can be highly meaningful and further healing from a loss.” Common themes include the deceased appearing healthy, peaceful, or delivering comforting messages.

A 2016 Canadian study found that 67% of participants said such dreams increased their belief in an afterlife, while 71% felt more connected to their loved ones. Psychologist Jennifer E. Shorter noted that visitation dreams are often calm, with the deceased appearing healthy and conveying reassurance like “I’m fine.”