Dream About Dying and Death Meaning

Fear not! Dreaming of a death or of dying doesn’t have to be literal, and it doesn’t mean you or a loved one will die!

Dreams are complex and symbolic, and so it is important to identify the type of dreams you have before you get into the meaning. If you have a dream that seems significant to you, it’s important to sit with your intuitive feelings and thoughts after you wake up. You might consider keeping a dream journal and spending each morning reflecting on the meaning of your dreams. But if you wake up and think, "Hey, that was silly," then no need to try to interpret your dream—sometimes they really are just pointless!

There are a few types of dreams you might have: Dreams about anxieties, which are a signal to work on managing your worries; pointless dreams, which just seem random; and dreams from your spirit guides, which may be instruction-heavy or have a moral lesson.

Now let's get specific: If you dream about dying, what exactly does it mean?

What does it mean if I dream about myself dying?

Don't worry: This doesn't mean you're going to die! To get more info, look at the way you die in your dream. If you die a violent death, then that means you should be careful and watch out for recklessness, immediate dangers, and enemies. If you have a peaceful death, look at the dream as a symbol of moving on, graduating, changing, or spiritual awakening. A dream about dying may also mean that you need to make an effort to forget a person or experience; you need to move on from something. Finally, like these dreams can sometimes have to do with trauma.

What does it mean if I dream about a family member or loved one dying?

This is one of those dreams I encourage people to ignore! However, it can also be an encouragement to leave your home, your city, or your comfort zone. Think about what's been on your mind lately and if your dream relates.

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What does it mean if I dream about a pet dying?

Like dreaming about a loved one dying, this dream may be also about sadness or feelings of abandonment. However, personally I would schedule a check-up with the vet, just in case!

Dreams About Animals

Alligators

Bears

Snakes

What does it mean if I wake up just before I die a dream?

This type of dream could mean that you are supposed to figure something out from the clues. I would pay extra close attention to what is said in dialogue in these dreams, as they can be instructive about how you should live your life and what decisions you should make.

What does it mean if I dream about someone killing me?

Another possible and intense dying dream scenario is someone killing you in your dream. If that’s the case, note who did the killing. If the person killing you is someone you know (family member, friend, lover, etc.), the dream may be alerting you that the person possesses some potential emotional or psychological threat to you, says Theresa Cheung, dream decoder and author of The Dream Dictionary from A-Z. Like, let’s say, they’re dimming your light.

On the other hand, if the killer is a total stranger or someone you know but aren’t that close with, this suggests some sort of internal conflict such as a lack of discipline or self-worth. “Something about your current mindset is quite literally stopping you in your tracks, blocking your personal growth,” Cheung says. “Your job is to work out what that blockage is because changing your mindset during the day will change your dream scenarios making killing dream scenes less likely.”

What does it mean if I dream about killing someone?

Plot twist: What if you’re the killer in the scene? It likely means you’re venting your frustration towards something or someone causing you anxiety or anger in your waking life, Cheung says. Consider it a sign that you are at your boiling point and need to find a healthy way of dealing with those emotions and whatever situation is stressing you out.

That said, you being the one who does the slaying in the dream can also point to an internal conflict, Cheung says. As in you’re “killing” some aspect of yourself that is holding you back.

What does it mean if I dream about going to a funeral?

This can indicate that there is finality in some area of your life, Cheung says, such as a relationship or a job. There’s no going back. “This symbolism can feel morbid but it is pointing you in the direction of your future, urging you to let go of the past and take the next step,” she explains. So the ominous funeral imagery isn’t meant to scare you but rather push you to take positive action.

What does it mean if I dream about being in a cemetery?

Dreaming of cemeteries can also be spooky, but remember: Dreams are all about symbolism. “Cemeteries commemorate death but also life and are a reminder that although death is an ending it is also a time of new beginnings,” Cheung says. So dreaming that you're wandering through a cemetery could be a sign that you’re going through a personal transformation of some sort. Maybe you’re bidding adieu to your single life or making a big career shift. Whatever the case may be, you’re embarking on a major growth spurt and craving some closure as you end one chapter and begin another.

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What does it mean if I dream about seeing a dead body?

Although it’s a disturbing symbol, dreaming of a dead body isn’t about the dead body at all. It has more to do with something that you’re not letting go of in your waking life, Cheung says, such as a relationship, a belief that is holding you back, or a job you hate. Basically, anything in your life that is way past its expiration date and you’re still clinging on to it for dear life. It is literally haunting you.

What does it mean if I dream about someone who has died in real life?

“Death ends a life and not a relationship,” Cheung says. “The memory and love for that person remains alive in spirit in your heart and mind.” So dreaming about a departed loved one can be interpreted as a longing for reconnection or as an afterlife sign, she adds. Either way, she says it's a way for you, the dreamer, to process grief and find comfort.

What does it mean if I have recurring dreams about dying?

Usually, dreaming about dying simply means that you are a worrier. It also could mean you’re not getting enough rest. It does *not* mean that you are doomed!

One more time for the people in the back: Dreams about dying in any shape or form are rarely literal, Cheung says. Emphasis on rarely. In the overwhelming majority of death dreams, it’s just our dreaming mind being an artist and using the transformative symbolism of death to wake us up to the choices we make in our life, she says, which is healing if you think about it. It's giving us the nudge we need to let go of one phase of life and welcome the next. In other words, it’s time to leave your old life in the dust and strut towards the new.

Decode your dreams

Valeria Ruelas is the author of Cosmopolitan Love Potions and she is a practicing witch, model, crystal healer, psychic medium and social Influencer. She was born in Delicias, Chihuahua Mexico and most people know her as her online persona, “The Mexican Witch.” Valeria shares her knowledge and lifestyle on her YouTube channel and Instagram. She practices eclectic witchcraft with a focus on tarot and Mexican brujeria.

Jessica Estrada is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and spiritual life coach empowering people to live their best life one article at a time. She has 10 years of experience covering various topics, including beauty, fashion, wellness, mental health, spirituality, astrology, and all things magick. Find her work in Well + Good, Refinery29, Byrdie, Bustle, The Zoe Report, The Cut, and more. Visit estradajessica.com and jessicaestrada.net for more about Jessica, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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