Dreaming of someone dying can be incredibly scary. You may be dreaming of someone you know dying, or perhaps in the dream, you are witnessing the death of a stranger.
If you have been dreaming of someone dying, you may be worried that it is a premonition. However, this is not the case.
Dreams about death are usually about personal change and transformation.
Let’s look at why you may dream of someone dying and what you can do to enhance your life through dream interpretation.
What Are Dreams?
In order to understand the reasons behind your dreams, it is helpful to reflect on dream interpretation and the different theories regarding dreams. Nobody actually knows what causes dreams, but many psychologists and spiritualists have put forward their ideas to help us understand the dream world.
One important dream theory comes from Sigmund Freud. Freud was a hugely influential neurologist who founded psychoanalysis. He suggested that our dreams represent our subconscious wishes and fears. He argued that things we suppress in our waking world are expressed during our dreams. This means that we can better understand who we are when we reflect on our dreams and what they may represent.
Freud also suggested that our dreams use symbols and imagery to express our subconscious. So, when we dream about rats, we are not actually dreaming about those little furry creatures! Instead, the rats are a symbol of something else in our minds.
This makes sense when we are dreaming of someone dying. The dream is not usually about death. Instead, death is a symbol of something else in our subconscious.
Dreaming of Someone Dying: Common Meanings
When you want to understand what is causing your dreams, it is helpful to reflect on a few different aspects of your dream.
If you are dreaming of someone dying, pay attention to who is dying in your dream. Is it someone you know? How do you feel about this person? Do you see them in a positive way, or do you dislike them? Are they incredibly close to you? Or do you not recognize the person who is dying in your dream?
You should also remember your emotions in the dream, as this will help you understand what your subconsciousness is trying to tell you. Furthermore, the type of death is important. Is it a natural death? Or does an accident cause the death?
Let’s look at the different reasons you are dreaming of someone dying.
Life Changes
You may be dreaming of someone dying because you are going through a significant time of change in your life. If you are a Tarot fan like me, you are probably aware of the meaning of the Death Tarot card. This card represents transformation and personal growth. It reminds us that we are so many different people in our lives, and it crops up in a reading when one life cycle is coming to an end, with another taking its place.
Like the Death card, it is hugely symbolic when death appears in our dreams. Perhaps we are beginning a new job or breaking up with someone. Because we are going through a considerable change in our lives, our subconscious works through it in the dream world.
You may have fears and worries concerning this change, and you can understand these by exploring your feelings in the dream. Are you scared and concerned about the death? Or is it a natural death that has come at the right time?
Unwanted Change
Perhaps you are dreaming about the sudden death of someone you know. Maybe an accident brings about the death, leaving you confused and upset. If so, it suggests that you are not prepared for the transformation that is occurring in your life. You don’t really want to change the happen and are digging your heels in.
Change can be difficult, and we often feel unprepared for the next stage of our lives. Familiarity is comfortable, and it is totally natural to fear the unknown!
However, change is an essential part of life. Without change, we will not grow and explore new aspects of ourselves and our connection with the universe.
If you are dreaming of someone dying suddenly, reflect on what is going on in your life right now. Are clinging onto something you need to let go of? Why are you so afraid of moving forward in life? How can you tackle your fears to embrace the change that is happening in your life?
Lack of Control
You may be dreaming of someone dying because you feel as if you are not in control of your life and your future. The person in the dream reflects a part of you and suggests that you are concerned about who you are and where you are going.
If you relate to this meaning, there are things you can do to enhance your connection with yourself and your soul. If you feel as if you lack control in your life, this is because you do not truly understand who you are.
In order to develop your understanding of yourself, take time to explore your dreams, goals, and wishes. Meditation, Tarot, and automatic writing are all great spiritual tools that help you tap into your truth. In turn, this will allow you to feel much more in control of your life.
Fear of Death
Of course, you may be dreaming of someone dying because you are worried about you or your loved ones passing away. If someone in your life is ill and you have dreams about death, it is usually your subconscious attempting to address your fears and work through them.
One interesting dream theory is called the threat simulation theory and was developed by psychologist Antti Revonsuo. This theory suggests that when we dream, we act out real-life threats to prepare ourselves for them occurring in the waking world.
When it comes to dreams of people we love dying, we can understand how it connects to this theory. Losing loved ones is one of our greatest fears in life, and our subconsciousness may be preparing us for it in the dream world.
Common Dreams Of Someone Dying
Now we know the general reasons why we may be dreaming of someone dying, we can dive deeper into specific dreams and what they usually mean.
Dreaming About The Death of a Loved One
When we dream about specific people, the dream isn’t usually about them but what they represent. So, if you are dreaming about the death of a loved one, you must reflect on what this person represents for you.
Perhaps you are dreaming about your mother dying, and, to you, your mother is a comforting and nurturing person. This means that these qualities of yourself are changing in some way. Perhaps you are becoming more nurturing and are taking a motherly role to people in your life. Or, maybe you are ignoring that caring side of yourself, which is causing issues in your life.
Dreaming About the Death of Someone You Dislike
Don’t worry. Dreaming about the death of someone your dislike isn’t your mean side coming out! You know that you don’t wish them to be dead.
Again, this dream isn’t about the death of this person but the transformation of these negative traits within you. Perhaps you are dreaming about the death of someone you think is rude and arrogant. When you are dreaming about this person dying, it is all about how you feel about yourself. Maybe you worry about being rude or arrogant. However, the dream shows you that these traits are changing within you.
This dream usually represents you kicking bad habits and entering a more loving and happy phase of your life. You are leaving negativity behind you and embracing positive vibes.
Dreaming About Someone Getting Murdered
This is usually a pretty scary dream, even more so if you are the person doing the murder! Having dreams about you harming people can be incredibly disturbing, but they are actually super common. A friend of mine has been having loads of dreams where she is killing animals, and these dreams really upset her.
However, dreaming about murdering someone or killing animals does not mean you have a serial killer side to you. In fact, it is all about your relationship with yourself. Perhaps you are breaking an addiction or overcoming bad habits in your waking world. In your dream, the murder symbolizes you getting rid of that part of yourself.
You may be dreaming about murdering someone because you have repressed feelings or emotions that are bringing you down. Perhaps someone has upset you, or you are stressed about your current job. Interestingly, my friend has just finished her postgraduate degree and turned thirty, which has brought a lot of stress and change in her life. Her dreams are an outlet for her stress, with the death aspect reflecting the transformation she is going through right now.
Dreaming About Your Partner Dying
Dreaming about your partner dying is usually about your relationship with them and your current feelings. You may be having this dream because you are concerned about them breaking up with you. It is totally normal to have that subconscious or conscious worry that your partner may leave you. You love them, so it makes sense that it is a big concern of yours!
If you think this is the reason why you are having this dream, have an open and honest chat with them about your worries. They will assure you that everything is okay!
You may be dreaming about your partner dying because you are entering the next phase of your relationship. Perhaps you have recently got engaged or are planning to move in together. Any change will trigger dreams about death, and it makes sense that your partner is the subject of the dream at this time!
But don’t worry. It doesn’t mean you aren’t ready for the next stage of your relationship. It is simply your subconscious working through it and understanding what is happening.
Dreaming Of Someone Dying By Drowning
If you are dreaming of someone dying by drowning, your subconscious has a clear message for you. You are under a lot of emotional stress right now, and this needs to change!
Dreams about water are usually about our emotions. Because someone is dying because of the water, it suggests that you are feeling overwhelmed by your feelings. Perhaps you are taking on the burdens of your loved ones and feel as if you have no one to turn to. Or, maybe someone has really hurt you, and you are struggling to overcome the pain.
It is time for some self-love and self-care right now. Take time to focus on yourself and do what makes you feel good.
Dreaming Of Someone Dying In a Car Crash
Dreaming about car crashes can be really disturbing. If you are dreaming of someone dying in a car crash, it suggests you are worried about dramatic and sudden change. The change you are worried about will occur because of your own bad habits, and you are concerned about your current behavior and its negative effects on your life.
It is time to reflect on where you are and what things you can do to bring peace and balance into your life. Are there bad habits that you need to address? Do you need to focus on your health and spirituality?
Because you are having this dream, you know deep down that you have the power to change and bring healthier habits into your life.
Dreaming of Someone Dying? It is Time To Embrace The Change Coming Your Way
Dreaming about death can be really upsetting. However, these dreams are all about change and transformation. It is up to you to embrace the change and enhance your life through dream interpretation.
If you are interested in the dream world, I strongly recommend starting a dream journal if you haven’t already! A dream journal is a great tool to help you remember your dreams and explore what your subconsciousness is trying to tell you.