Ten Things to Remember When a Loved One Dies

Reminders that comfort grief during the holidays and throughout the year.

Bob Olson is the host of Afterlife TV, the author of Answers About The Afterlife, Insight from Hindsight, and The Magic Mala, and the founder of BestPsychicDirectory.com.

Losing a loved one is among the most challenging experiences in life. Though grief can feel overwhelming, understanding what happens to our loved ones after they pass can offer comfort. Here are ten important reminders to help you navigate this difficult time during the holidays and throughout the year.

I wrote this with my dear friend Michael in mind, who recently lost his dad. When my friends are grieving, these are some things I wish I could share with them. Even if my friends know these, it helps to be reminded during times of mourning.

1. Your loved one is beside you, helping to comfort your grief.

Even though they have transitioned, your loved one remains nearby, providing comfort and support as you navigate your emotions. You may sense their presence in subtle ways, like feeling a sense of peace or warmth during moments of despair. Try not to question these feelings; instead, allow these feelings to comfort you.

2. Your loved one will attend their wake/funeral/memorial services.

Many people report sensing their deceased loved ones' presence during wakes, funerals, and memorial gatherings. People in spirit really do attend their own services. Your deceased loved one’s first concern is to ease your grief and help you recognize that they are still around.

Our loved ones in spirit attend their services to witness the love shown by family and friends and appreciate the sentiments made in their honor. However, they primarily come to comfort loved ones mourning their loss, which they do by sending an ethereal hug filled with their loving energy. Ethereal hugs are intended to ease your grief and help you feel connected to them. So, if you sense their presence, perhaps even feel a tingling sensation upon their touch, let that be a signal that they are beside you.

3. Your loved one can now see exactly who you are (my favorite).

Freed from the limits of human perspective, your deceased loved one now perceives you with complete understanding, love, and compassion. They recognize your true intentions, your struggles, and your strengths. In a way, they know you better than you know yourself.

While they were alive, they could only see you through the filters of their history with you, their fears for you, and their own experiences and beliefs. Now that they are in spirit, they can perceive you fully. They know exactly who you are without any filters. They understand your love for them. They recognize what makes you unique. And they take pride in the kind, generous, and brilliant person you are.

They also recognize their responsibility for any issues you may have had with them and have forgiven you for anything you might have done or said that you regret. Now that your deceased loved one possesses the clarity and insight gained from their new perspective as a spirit, you no longer need to explain yourself to them. If you missed your opportunity to make amends while they were living, rest assured that they understand now.

4. Your loved one can hear you if you talk to them.

Communication doesn’t end with their passing. I suggest speaking out loud to them as if they were in the room—because they are. Whether you talk aloud or in your thoughts, your loved one hears you. Sharing your feelings, thoughts, and even daily happenings can help you feel closer to them, and those in spirit appreciate being part of your daily life.

5. Your loved one is closer to you now than they could be while living.

This is one of the most common messages received during readings with mediums. Our loved ones in spirit can sense our emotions and understand when we feel excited, worried, joyful, or lonely. Without physical barriers, your loved one’s spirit can connect with you in a deeply meaningful way. They are no longer limited by time or distance and can be present whenever you need them. They can even be with multiple people at the same time in different locations around the world.

Ask them to be there for you when you need support, and they will be. When you miss them, let them know, and they will stand by you. When you wish they could witness something special in your life, like the birth of your child or your wedding, think of them and know they are present. Another common message spirits tell mediums is that “they are only a thought away.”

6. Your loved one is going home (not disappearing).

Death is not an end but a return to our spiritual home. This transition allows individuals to reconnect with their soul’s essence, finding peace and joy in a realm of unconditional love. It is the place from which we originated, and it is where everyone returns when their lives come to a close.

Realizing that we are spiritual beings having a human experience can be helpful. Life in the physical realm is a temporary place of learning, so when one of us passes, we return to the place we began before our birth. I find this comforting because death is a form of graduation, and we will all reunite when it’s our time to graduate.

7. Your loved one enjoyed a homecoming celebration—a reunion—after their passing.

Upon crossing over, your loved one is embraced by friends, family, and others who passed before them. This joyful reunion serves as a time of love and celebration on the other side. Every person and pet they have known and cherished will be present to shower them with affection. It is a celebration of their life—a remarkable achievement—and they get to bask in their loved ones’ pride for their brave journey.

8. Your loved one will send you signs and signals to let you know they’re around.

Signs can take many forms: a familiar song, a specific scent, a vivid dream, or unexpected objects that may hold significance for you may cross your path. These are known as after-death communications. They serve as messages to say hello and reminders that your loved ones are still with you.

If you think of your loved one and get an after-death communication, acknowledge the “hello.” For instance, if you hear your loved one’s favorite song on the radio while talking to a friend about them, accept the gift without skepticism. The more you recognize these signs and signals, the more often they will appear. Eventually, they will come so frequently that it will be undeniable they are letting you know they’re around.

9. Your loved one will join your spiritual guidance team.

Once your loved one is back home and watching over you, they become part of your team for spiritual guidance. As a part of your team, they can help guide and protect you, offering insights and support from the other side. They work alongside your other spirit guides to assist in your life journey, so feel free to let them know what you want and need. They will do what they can to help you.

10. Your loved one will be there to greet you when it’s your turn to go home.

Instead of viewing your loved one as gone, think of them as waiting for you at home, watching over you as you carry on with your life. When your time comes to transition, your loved one will be there to welcome you. Knowing they will be waiting to greet you can bring peace and lessen your fear of death. They may even visit you in a predeath vision to assure you they are waiting on the other side of the ethereal veil.

Our loved ones continue to love, support, and watch over us in ways that transcend the physical realm. Embracing this perspective can help ease our grief and deepen our understanding of our eternal bond. It can also help during the holiday season when we miss loved ones who have passed. I hope something here has helped to lift your spirits this holiday.

I love that Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah are both on the 25^th this year. Whatever you celebrate, Melissa and I wish you a joyful holiday filled with love.

Happy holidays! 🎄🕎🎅

With love ♥️,
Bob & Melissa (and their dogs, Clipsie and Mala)

Bob & Melissa’s dogs, Clipsie and Mala

Bob Olson is the host of Afterlife TV, the author of Answers about the Afterlife, Insight from Hindsight, and The Magic Mala, and the creator of the most trusted directory of psychics, mediums, animal communicators, and energy healers, BestPsychicDirectory.com.