Symbol Sage Sale Banner

Dreams about People Dying – What Do They Mean?

Dreaming about death can be a frightening experience, especially if it involves a loved one or yourself. However, dreams about people dying aren’t exactly bad omens. Regardless of how they may make you feel, such dreams can have a positive interpretation, depending on their context and the other elements present in them. 

Dreams of People Dying – Common Interpretations

dreaming of people dying

1. Change 

Many believe that dying is a transition from one life to another which is why dying is one of the most common interpretations of this dream scenario. If you see someone dying in a dream, there’s a possibility that something is about to change in your waking life. However, it might be difficult to tell whether the change is a positive or negative one. 

Symbol Sage Sale Banner

This dream could also mean that you will soon take on new responsibilities. If you’ve been living a carefree life and haven’t been taking responsibility for yourself, now may be the time for a change. 

A dream about dying people may not just be centered on the changes in your lifestyle but can also be related to your relationship or career. For example, you may be feeling unhappy about your current job or the relationship you’re in and it’s likely that a change will soon take place. 

2. A Desire to Close a Chapter in Your Life 

dreams of people dying

Dreams about dying people may signify a desire to close a chapter in your life. Death symbolizes endings, so this dream could mean that you want to or will soon be terminating something in your life. If you’re in a toxic relationship, the dream could indicate your desire to end it and be free. Aside from this, the dream may also relate to your job or an experience that you want to let go of. 

Some people believe that dreaming about someone dying is a warning that someone is about to die in their waking life. Others believe that it means they want to end someone’s life. 

Symbol Sage Dreamcatcher-Tree-Of-Life-Necklace

However, this is far from the truth. Such dreams about dying people don’t often signify your desire for someone else’s death. On the contrary, these dreams may be a sign that it’s time to close a chapter of your life that’s holding you back without allowing you to grow. 

3. An Ending 

Another common meaning of a dream about dying people is the ending of something in your waking life. It may pertain to your relationships or career. If you’re currently experiencing difficult times, this dream could signify that your worries and troubles will soon end. 

4. A Personal Issue 

reflection of yourself

Dreams about dying people may also be a reflection of yourself. If you have seen this dream, it’s possible that you may have some unresolved issues you need to let go of.  It’s also possible that you may be trying to alleviate the negative emotions you’re currently experiencing. 

If this is the case, your dream may be telling you that it’s time to put the past behind you and look toward a better future. Remember, death doesn’t only represent an ending but new beginnings as well. 

5. Fear of the Unknown

To see someone dying in a dream can also signify your fear of the unknown. This meaning is especially true if you dream about people dying during the apocalypse. After all, death is the ultimate unknown. 

6. Betrayal

Dreaming about death or dying people may also signify betrayal. If you feel as though someone has betrayed you, it’s not uncommon for you to see this dream. The meaning of the dream can also vary, depending on how you feel upon waking up. 

For example, if you feel sadness, it could represent your sadness at being betrayed. On the other hand, feeling happy can indicate that you have accepted the betrayal and want to take revenge.  

7. Guilt 

Seeing people dying in a dream can be an indication of guilty feelings. If you have a feeling of guilt or regret over an incident that occurred in your waking life, seeing this dream isn’t uncommon. Your subconscious mind may be showing you the dream as a way of expressing your guilt. 

8. A Feeling of Being Controlled

If you dream about someone you know dying, it could be a sign that the person you see is controlling you in your waking life. You may be feeling trapped and helpless. Of course, seeing this dream doesn’t necessarily mean that you wish the person dead. Instead, it could simply be a reflection of your feelings. 

9. Loss and Grief

grief death

Grief can be a result of death and to dream about someone dying, especially if it’s someone you know, may indicate this feeling. If you see such a dream, it’s possible that you’re already in a situation or will soon be in a situation that causes you grief. 

Perhaps you have lost someone dear to you, or you’ve broken up with your significant other. If this is the case, the dream could represent your feelings of grief caused by the loss. 

10. Sign of Pregnancy

As strange as it may seem, seeing someone die in a dream can be a sign of pregnancy. Some dreams about death can be associated with rebirth so it’s possible that you may be pregnant, or you may soon hear the good news that someone you know is pregnant. 

Scenarios of Dreams about People Dying 

scenarios of death dreams

The meaning of your dream can depend on many factors including who the person is, where you were, what caused their death, and what exactly happened. Here are a few of the most common dream scenarios and what they mean:

1. Dreaming about a Family Member Dying 

If you dream about one of your family members dying, it could mean that you have been away from them too long and you’re missing them. It’s common to experience this dream if you haven’t spoken to them or met them for a long time. It could also indicate your fear of losing them. This dream could be a sign that it’s time to work on staying connected with your loved ones and paying more attention to them. 

2. Dreaming about a Stranger Dying 

To see a stranger dying in a dream could be a sign that you’re about to end a certain period in your life and start a new one. 

3. Dreaming about Someone Bleeding to Death

If you see someone bleeding to death in your dream, it could mean that this person will soon make some profitable gains at work. It could also mean that you have or will soon meet someone and start a romantic relationship with them. 

4. Dreaming about Someone or Yourself Dying from an Illness 

If you dream of dying from an illness, it could be a sign that it’s time to distance yourself from those who spread negative energy. Such people could be causing you to feel mentally and emotionally drained, which could lead to depression, stress, and anxiety. 

This dream could also be a warning that you need to take your life seriously and be careful when making certain decisions. A decision made recklessly could impact the rest of your life in a highly negative way, so you might want to think twice before you act. 

If someone else is dying from an illness, the dream suggests that you’re concerned for one of your family members. However, it could also be telling you that while your loved one may be in trouble, you need to relax and think positively, making sure not to panic. 

To dream of your children dying is one of the worst experiences a parent could have. However, as traumatizing as it may feel, this dream is not usually a bad omen. On the contrary, the death of your child or children in a dream could indicate that they will soon reach a milestone in their lives and are ready to move to bigger and better things.  

Should I Worry?

If you’ve been having recurring dreams about people dying, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s nothing to worry about. It’s likely that there may be something nagging you at the back of your mind that you’re having trouble identifying. 

Sometimes, constantly seeing these dreams can affect your day-to-day activities as well as your behavior, so if you feel as though this is happening to you, it may be time to seek professional help. 

The first step towards healing is understanding that while these dreams can be terrifying, they’re not premonitions of something bad that could happen to the people you see. Instead, some can help you to find solutions to a certain problem in your life if only you look hard enough. 

In Brief 

Death-related dreams can make you feel upset and frightened, even if you know that the people you dreamed about are alive and well. If you have such a dream and are wondering about what it could mean, remember to take all the other elements of the dream into consideration. Every little detail can affect the meaning of your dream, giving it a negative or positive interpretation. 

Affiliate Disclosures

Apsara Palit
Apsara Palit

After completing her post-grad in Values, Ethics and Indian Culture, Apsara is sharing her knowledge of symbolism, mythology, history and culture through her blogs. Apsara lives in India and believes in getting a first-hand understanding of culture through travelling.