Shared Death Experiences: A Little-Known Type of End-of-Life Phenomena Reported by Caregivers and Loved Ones.

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some loved ones and caregivers of dying patients undergo a type of end-of-life phenomena known as a shared death experience or SDE, whereby one feels that one has participated in a dying person's transition to a post-mortem existence. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that SDEs can have a range of profound psycho-spiritual-emotional effects. However, SDEs have been all but ignored in hospice and palliative medicine, leaving professional bereavement services uninformed about SDEs and leaving individuals who report SDEs without adequate professional support to process and integrate them. To better understand the features and effects of SDEs, an inductive content analysis was performed on written accounts and transcripts of semi-structured interviews with 107 persons reporting a total of 164 SDEs. Analysis revealed 4 distinct though non-exclusive modes of an SDE: remotely sensing a death, witnessing unusual phenomena, feelings of accompanying the dying, and feelings of assisting the dying. Analysis also revealed 3 major domains of SDE effects: changes in belief, the reconciliation of grief, and the perception of continued relational bonds with the deceased. Interviews highlighted both difficulties and therapeutic value in people openly discussing their experiences with health professionals. We believe that integration of information about SDEs offers an opportunity to add to the breadth and quality of psychological, spiritual, and bereavement care.