Differences in After-Death Communications : A Comparative Analysis of Unexpected vs. Expected Deaths and Their Impact on Survivors’ Grief and Perception of Death

McCormick, T., Grams, G., Wise, F., Burns, M., Charania, A., St Germain-Sehr, N., Roe, C., Cooper, C., Lorimer, D., Elsaesser, E. and Penberthy, J. K. (2026) Differences in After-Death Communications : A Comparative Analysis of Unexpected vs. Expected Deaths and Their Impact on Survivors’ Grief and Perception of Death. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying. , pp. 1-15. 0030-2228. (In Press)

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McCormick_et_al_2025_Differences_in_After-Death_Communications_A_Comparative_Analysis_of_Unexpected_vs._Expected_Deaths_and_Their_Impact_on_Survivorsâ��_Grief_and_Perception_of_Death_AAM
McCormick_et_al_2025_Differences_in_After-Death_Communications_A_Comparative_Analysis_of_Unexpected_vs._Expected_Deaths_and_Their_Impact_on_Survivors_Grief_and_Perception_of_Death_AAM.pdf - Accepted Version
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Abstract:

This study explores changes in grief and fear of death in individuals who reported after death communications (ADC) from people who died unexpectedly or whose death was expected. We found that those bereaved by unexpected loss reported signiﬁcantly higher levels of uncertainty regarding changes in their fear of death compared to those bereaved by an expected loss. However, no signiﬁcant differences were found in grief between the two groups. Most participants reported a positive impact of ADC on their bereavement, regardless of the type of loss they experienced. These ﬁndings underscore the impact of ADCs upon grief and emotional healing, regardless of whether the loss was unexpected or expected. The results of our study may inform understanding of the relationship between death, grief, and consciousness survival.

Additional Information:

Uncontrolled Keywords:

after-death communication, grief, bereavement, unexpected death, sudden loss, expected death, anticipated loss, fear of death, existential anxiety

Creators:

McCormick, T., Grams, G., Wise, F., Burns, M., Charania, A., St Germain-Sehr, N., Roe, C., Cooper, C., Lorimer, D., Elsaesser, E. and Penberthy, J. K.

Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:

Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences

Date:

4 September 2026

Date Type:

Publication

Page Range:

pp. 1-15

Journal or Publication Title:

Omega: Journal of Death and Dying

Number of Pages:

Language:

English

ISSN:

0030-2228

Status:

In Press

Refereed:

Yes