As the minister and spiritual leader of numerous people in my church, I have aided several congregation members through the mourning process. In particular, through the loss of a mother. In this capacity, I have had to learn how to counsel bereaved children. Many of them have dreams of their deceased mother, so in my journey to learn how to emotionally help them, I studied extensively on the subject. These dreams can carry so much spiritual meaning, which helps my counselees feel comforted. The relief I see on their faces when their dreams are explained to them warms my heart, and for that reason, I would like to share in this article the Biblical meanings of dreaming of a deceased mother.
Dreams of your deceased mother can carry various Biblical meanings. They can be a way of getting closure, reconnecting with the deceased, a sign that you will see her again, or even a response to prayer. These dreams also hold various spiritual meanings depending on the events and details of the dream.
With many people being ignorant of the possible significance of dreams with your deceased mother, I thought it would be helpful to share the information that I have gathered on the topic. I have covered all the possible spiritual and biblical meanings of dreams with deceased mothers. I also looked at reasons why they may be recurring. This piece is full of helpful resources and examples that you can reference at any time. It is an easy-to-understand read that you will surely appreciate if you or someone you know is experiencing these dreams.
Spiritual Meaning of a Deceased Mother
When a dear loved one such as a mother passes away, a lot of questions may linger in the minds of those left behind. ‘Where is her soul?’, ‘Is she okay?’ ‘Will I see her again?’ Many religions and cultures believe that there is a separation of body and soul when a person dies. Christianity is one such religion. Look at 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Christian scholars have concluded that the spiritual meaning of death is that the soul and body are separated, with the soul going to be with the Lord. The story of Rachel’s soul departing when she died (Genesis 35:18) is a great illustration of the spiritual meaning of death
5 Biblical Meanings of Dreaming of Deceased Mother
Luckily for Christians, the Holy Book can also provide counsel on the matter. Dreaming about the death of loved ones and death, in general, has been addressed in the Bible. This allows us to get more insight into God’s thoughts on the matter and His reasoning behind these dreams. We can, therefore, better navigate and interpret them. Here are 5 Biblical meanings of dreaming about a deceased mother, according to Christian dream experts:
It Is A Way of Gaining Closure
When a loved one dies, gaining closure is essential to the grieving process and, ultimately, healing. It allows one to get understanding and peace and accepted finality of the death. Gaining closure is usually a challenging process, but it is taught in the Christian faith that God (specifically the Holy Spirit) can help. John 14:26 states how the Holy Spirit acts as a counselor and “will teach you all things”. This includes all the information one needs on death to get closure. The verse reads, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”. Dreams are known to be a way by which we get divine communication, so when you dream of your deceased mother, it may be a channel for getting closure and communication from the Holy Spirit.
It Is A Way of Reconnecting
Dream analysts propound that having dreams with dead loved ones (such as your mother) is a chance from God to reconnect with the deceased person. This is a kind gesture from the Lord to offer bereaved children some comfort. According to Leviticus 19:31, the living is not supposed to communicate with the dead via mediums or seers. It says, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” Visions from the Lord are the only accepted way of communicating with the dead. This may be in the form of dreams, which allow us to connect with lost loved ones.
It Is A Sign That You Will See Them Again
In the Bible, dreams are associated with prophecy and divine messages. This is according to Numbers 12:6, “And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream” and Acts 2:17, “‘ And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” Likewise, the Bible tells us how we will be reunited with our loved ones as they are resurrected. This is in John 5:28-29 which says, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” Christian scholars have interpreted these Biblical texts to mean that for the faithful, dreams of dead people, including your mother, are signs that you will be reunited in Heaven.
It Is A Response to Your Prayers
When someone passes away, it is common practice among the bereaved to mourn and pray. People usually pray for the soul of the deceased and for strength to get through the grief. Many Christians believe that visions of the deceased in your dreams are confirmation from God that He has heard your prayers and will fulfill them. It is a good sign. God restores the bereaved through the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2 says that the Holy Spirit will renew the mind. It reads, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” The Holy Spirit can renew and restore at any time, including while you sleep. Therefore, dreams of your dead mother can be communication that your prayers have been heard and will be fulfilled.
It Is an Opportunity to Rekindle Relationships
Finally, another possible Biblical meaning behind seeing your deceased mother in dreams could be that the Lord wants to remind you to rekindle relationships with loved ones that are alive. These dreams can serve as a reminder to put connections with friends, family, and loved ones as a priority. After all, John 13:34-35 commands us to love one another. The verses say, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
All in all, Christians should interpret dreams about their deceased mother using God’s guidance and Biblical Scripture.
Spiritual Meanings of Specific Dreams of Deceased Mother
Let us take a look at the spiritual meanings of specific dreams with a deceased mother. It might be fascinating to learn that they each have different meanings. Here are some of the interpretations provided by famous grief expert Alica Forneret and other dream experts:
Dream of Your Deceased Mother in a Casket
Dreaming of your mother in a casket is symbolic. It is a sign that someone close to you has ill intentions for you. They plan to hurt you. This dream is a warning that you should watch your back for pretenders. God also uses this type of dream to warn the faithful of people who plan to lead them astray. Seeing your mother in a casket during a dream could also be a sign that a relationship has come to an end. It could also show the end of a certain phase of life.
Dream of Being Hugged by Your Deceased Mother
When you are hugged by your deceased mother in a dream, it is a comforting reminder that you are not alone and that you will be fine. It is believed that this dream comes during emotionally vulnerable times to help you get through them. It signifies that angels surround you. One should get out of their comfort zone and try new challenges.
Dream of the Death of Your Deceased Mother
Reliving the death of your mother in a dream is your mind’s way of telling you that you need to handle the trauma you have been through. When one has emotional scars from past or childhood trauma, it is difficult to move forward and live a happy, healthy life. Trauma pulls you back so this dream is a signal to handle it by seeking professional assistance or talking to someone.
Dream of Your Deceased Mother Calling You
Hearing your deceased mother call for you in a dream can be terrifying but do not be alarmed. Many can think that death is calling you, but that is not the case. It is simply a sign of fear, worry, and anxiety in your real life. The emotions are stored in your subconscious and manifest in the dream with your late mother’s imagery. Try to tackle these mental stresses in your real life by going through counseling or talking to someone you can confide in.
Dream of Your Deceased Mother Talking to You
If your late mother talks to you in a dream, it may be overwhelming and extremely hard, but it is an indication that you are ready to confront the emotions you have for her and her death. Talking to your deceased mother in the dream can be a comforting experience that will help bring closure and allow you to come to terms with the death.
Dreaming of Your Dead Mother Being Sick
If your late mother is sick in a dream, it may indicate that your subconscious mind has not yet accepted the loss or her death. As a result, it keeps going over the painful experience before death. As well, if she is sick in your dream, this could be a sign that certain facets of your life are not going well. It could be in your career, personal relationships, or business-wise. It is best that you examine all these aspects, see where the problem may be, and work on rectifying it.
Dream of Being Served Food by Your Deceased Mother
Food is a love language for many, so being served a tasty meal is one of the best gestures of love. Likewise, if your late mother serves you food in a dream, it is considered a sign that you miss her and her love. Most mothers are nurturing caregivers, with people taking motherly love to be the purest. When you feel unloved, you can have dreams of her serving you food and taking care of you.
Dream of Your Dead Mother Cooking
Dreams of your dead mother reflect your readiness to accept certain qualities and change. They show that something great and possibly life-altering is around the corner. You will need to take the transition positively. It is believed that the act of cooking symbolizes your emotional desires. This type of dream encourages the dreamer who has lost their mother to embrace change.
Dream of Your Dead Mother Being Alive
Seeing your dead mother alive in your dreams is actually considered a good sign, according to some. It reflects that you are on the right life path. You are doing things that would make your mother proud of you. The dream is an encouragement to continue with your efforts to attain success.
Dream of Travelling with Your Dead Mother
Dreaming that you and your dead mother are traveling is an indication that you are going through a difficult situation and wish your mother was there with you. This dream is particularly common when you feel hopeless and stranded. The situation could be about inner struggles or problems with family, work, and friends. Since you cannot get your mother to walk the journey with you, seek help from someone you trust.
Dream of Your Dead Mother Being Happy
Seeing your late mother happy in a dream is taken as a good omen. It illustrates that you are about to gain positive change in your life. Maybe your business is going to pick up, or you will soon meet someone special. Either way, the change will be great and turn your life for the better.
Reasons Why You Keep Dreaming About Your Deceased Mother
Recurring dreams of your late mother could either be comforting or distressing, depending on the person. Many people do not know why they keep dreaming about their lost parents. According to grief expert, Alica Forneret, there are phycological reasons why your mother keeps appearing in dreams. Here are some of them:
You Are Still Grieving the Loss
One’s grieving period can last months, years, or even decades. It has no time limits. For that reason, it is normal to keep having dreams about a dead loved one. Especially your mother. These dreams are an indication that you have not yet moved on and your emotions are still processing the grief. Dreams are a means by which the subconscious fulfills our desires, so you might still be yearning for her. As well, it is common for other instances of loss to trigger the grief you feel for your mother, causing recurring dreams of her. Say, for example, if your friend passes away, the memories of your mother will likely be triggered, and you will have more dreams of her.
You Miss Your Mother
One of the most common and natural reasons for continuously dreaming about your dead mother is that you simply miss her. In most cases, people have close bonds with their mothers, since they are the primary caregiver for many. That bond is almost impossible to replace, so upon death, expect to have that missing gap for a long timeframe. You will, therefore, always miss her and her role in your life. This can come out in the form of dreams. Additionally, constant reminiscing over memories of your mother during the day can make you keep dreaming about her night after night.
You Are Neglecting Your Obligations
Parents are typically the first people in our lives to exert authority and instill disciple. When your mother passes away, you lose a vital person of influence. At times, constant dreams about your deceased mother could be a way of your subconscious telling you that you are slacking on your obligations. These duties can be done anywhere. From the home to the office. Your mother may have been the person that encouraged you to do your responsibilities but without her, your psyche may use dreams of her to communicate this. Try evaluating your work ethic, diligence, and obligations to figure out what you have been neglecting.
You Need Help and Guidance
Mothers are usually the most nurturing figures in our lives, so without them, we can feel lost. During challenging situations, your cry for motherly help and advice can manifest as recurring dreams of her. They show that you require guidance and support to get through a problem. If this is the case, seek help from someone you trust and can confide in. Open up about the situation, seek their advice, and you will feel better. Additionally, some people believe that the dead communicate with us via dreams. Your deceased mother may be trying to show you that she is watching over you.
Is Dreaming About Your Deceased Mother A Spiritual Message?
Some people, like renowned grief dream experts Dr. Joshua Black and Dr. McNamara, think that dreaming of your deceased mother carries spiritual messages, while other people are not convinced. Dr. McNamara’s opinion is that there is not much formal research on the subject but that most people experience visitation dreams after losing a loved one (such as one’s mother). He considers these as “communication from beyond the grave”. Dr. McNamara, who studies dreams from a scientific and spiritual perspective, says that there are documented instances of people throughout history receiving reassurance messages from the dead through dreams. In dreams, the message can be given orally or telepathically. He further tables the notion that dreams of the dead with a spiritual message can be distinguished from other dreams. Visitation dreams are vivid and seem more real than dreams without a spiritual message.
On the other hand, there are skeptics, such as behavioral sleep medicine expert Michelle Drerup. She has stated that “there’s no real consistent, scientifically proven theory linking specific content back to what a dream means.” Harvard dream researcher and author Diedre Barett also thinks that dreams about deceased family members do not necessarily carry spiritual meaning. She believes that dreams can be trivial and are simply mirrors of our thoughts during the day. They are not necessarily symbolic or meaningful.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.