Signs a Dead Loved One Is with You

Keep an eye out for these indicators someone you love is sending you messages you from the afterlife

Co-authored by Dev Murphy, MA Reviewed by Stina Garbis

Last Updated: May 30, 2024 Fact Checked

When a loved one passes away, the grief can be overwhelming. But just because someone has died doesn’t mean they’re gone forever. Many people believe deceased loved ones still watch over us and visit from time to time—although they might appear in unexpected ways, such as in the form of a bird. We’ve compiled a list of common beliefs and legends relating to signs a deceased person is visiting you from the beyond. Keep reading to understand potential indications your loved one is checking in on you.

Things You Should Know

You may hear your loved one speaking to you, either in person or over the phone.
You might smell them or smell scents related to them, like their favorite perfume or a food they often cooked.
Loved ones may appear as apparitions, or as glimpses out of the corner of your eye.

1

You sense their presence.

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You may just feel it when they’re around. If you walk into a place where your loved one spent a lot of time in life—such as their house or their favorite restaurant—you may feel their presence. You might also experience this sensation when visiting their gravesite. You might not be able to see them, feel them, or hear them, but you just somehow know they’re there, and they’re watching out for you.^{[1]
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- Their presence may linger in places that were familiar and comfortable to them when they were alive.
- They may show up in times of trouble to offer you support or guidance. For instance, if you receive alarming medical news from your doctor, or if you undergo a painful breakup, you might sense their presence protecting and comforting you.
- They may also be nearby during celebratory moments to cheer you on, like at your graduation or on your birthday. They’re not missing out on your milestones, even if they’re not physically there!

2

You receive a symbolic message or sign.

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Your loved one may leave you a particular sign of their presence. Some people believe the dead communicate by leaving small signs that they’re nearby or that they’ve passed over into heaven peacefully. These signs might be unique to the dead, or they may be common signs angels leave behind to help their surviving friends and family cope with their loss.
- Certain animals, like butterflies, cardinals, and blue jays, are believed to be signs the dead are nearby. If you see any of these animals, your loved one may be sending you love and peace.
- Specific signs that your loved one is visiting might include things they loved in real life. For example, if your mother always loved daffodils, you may see daffodils growing in your yard after she passes and know she’s near.

3

You see angel numbers.

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Your loved ones may send you messages through number patterns. Maybe you've noticed a certain number or series of numbers popping up everywhere you look lately. The numbers might even be connected to your loved one somehow: for example, if your deceased sister's jersey number was 55, you may see the number "55" everywhere. Many people refer to series of inexplicably recurring numbers as "angel numbers" and believe that their guardian angels or the spirits of deceased loved ones are using the numbers to send them messages or to say hello.
- If you're thinking about a loved one who has passed away and then you see "their" number, you can take heart and know they're watching you. For example, if their phone number ended in 1147, you might notice the time on the clock reads 11:47.
- Your loved one may also show you common angel numbers that aren't specifically relevant to them, but that carry their own innate significance: for instance, the angel number 6666 is generally believed to encourage self-trust and overcoming obstacles.

4

You smell them.

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You may get a whiff of your deceased loved one’s scent. Perhaps it’s the perfume your grandmother always wore, or maybe you inexplicably smell your great-uncle’s famous apple pie when you walk in his house after his passing. Some people believe the dead send their signature scents to us as small signs they’re still nearby.
- Of all our senses, our sense of smell is the most powerful tool we have for eliciting memories.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} It’s no wonder the dead may use it to reach out and remind us they’re still with us.

5

You hear their voice.

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Your loved ones may still speak to you even after they’re gone. You might hear your father call out to you in his familiar booming voice, or maybe you hear your grandmother singing the lullaby she always sang to rock you to sleep when you were a child. Many people have reported hearing their loved ones’ voices after they’ve passed on.^{[3]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} It’s possible the dead may speak to comfort you or to let you know they’re OK in the afterlife.
- You may not only hear their voice, but their footsteps or knocks at the door. Some deceased people speak in words, and others communicate by making sounds.
- If you hear your loved one speaking, try to speak back. Even if you don’t hear them, speaking to the dead can bring about peace and healing.

6

They visit you in your dreams.

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Deceased loved ones commonly communicate via dreams. Many people report dreaming of their dead loved ones, especially in the days and weeks immediately following their passing.^{[4]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Usually, the deceased person will be alive and will figure prominently in your dream. They may play an important role in the dream or present you with a specific message or advice.
- They may appear in your dream to let you know they’re at peace and help you move on. They may want to let you know they're still there: your relationship is simply different now—not over.
- They might continue to appear throughout your life at significant moments, when you’re in need of guidance or support.

7

You feel their touch.

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If your loved one is nearby, you may physically feel their touch. Maybe you felt a hand resting comfortingly on your head, the way your mother did when she was alive, or maybe you felt someone hugging you like your husband used to. The dead may not always appear in corporeal form, but many people have claimed to experience their deceased loved ones touching them the way they used to in life.
- They might touch you to remind you they’re still nearby, and that the connection you had when they were alive isn’t really gone.

8

You experience unexplained electrical activity.

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The dead may reveal themselves via flickering lights or static on the TV. Lots of people believe that unexplained electrical activity is a sign a deceased person is nearby. The deceased one’s energy may interrupt the electrical field, or they may intentionally turn the lights, the radio, or what have you on or off to let you know they’re nearby. If you experience unexplained electrical phenomena in your house or your loved one’s home, they may be reaching out to you from the beyond.^{[5]
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- If you didn’t experience the same electrical activity before they passed, it could mean they’re causing it—especially if they turn the radio on to their favorite song, or turn the TV on to the show you always watched together.

9

They communicate over the phone.

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Some people believe the dead can reach out over the telephone. You may remember the famous Twilight Zone episode in which a young boy is able to speak to his deceased grandmother over the phone. Some people believe this phenomenon isn’t limited to science fiction, but that it could actually occur in real life. If you've ever picked up the phone only to hear static, it may be your loved one trying to communicate from the afterlife.
- Even if you don’t experience this sign of your loved one’s presence, many people find comfort in calling their loved one and leaving a voicemail message to them, or texting them to say goodbye. The dead may not speak directly, but they may still receive your message of love.

10

Items move on their own.

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The dead have been believed to move things—or even take them. Some people report losing or finding objects after a loved one dies, and it’s believed the deceased person may have moved the item! They might move items to show you they’re still there or to playfully tease you, or they may steal an item if they were particularly attached to it in real life.
- For instance, if you keep misplacing your deceased aunt’s cherished bracelet, it’s possible her spirit is responsible! Despite no longer being corporeal, she may still want to keep her jewelry for herself.
- Most people report noticing an item has moved without them noticing, but some people claim to have witnessed items moving on their own.

11

You witness an apparition.

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In some cases, the dead may show themselves. Perhaps you witness your deceased loved one sitting in their favorite chair, or you glimpse them on a crowded bus. Many people have claimed to see their beloved friends or family members after they’ve passed away, often in places they spent a lot of time in life.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}
- The dead may reveal themselves to let you know they’re nearby, always watching out for you. They’re not really gone.
- Some people claim to see a complete apparition, but others report seeing only a shadow or a movement out of the corner of their eye.

12

You have visions of the afterlife.

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After a loved one dies, it’s common to wonder where they are and maybe to even worry. You might also start to worry about dying yourself. In these instances, your loved one may send you visions or dreams of the afterlife—and perhaps of them in it—to let you know they’ve crossed over all right, and that one day, you’ll join them and be at peace together.^{[7]
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Can an unusual animal sound indicate a visit from my deceased partner?

EllieLu8

Community Answer

It could be a sign, especially if your partner had a special connection to what that animal was.

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Why do I keep smelling my wife's perfume?

MAKENNA HYLTON

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You might be experiencing a sign that your wife is visiting you in spirit. The familiar scent could evoke memories and provide comfort, suggesting her presence around you.

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