There are still a few hours before dawn. The house is dark and still. You and your wife are sound asleep in your bedroom. Suddenly, the phone rings, startling you both from sleep. There is something ominous about that ringing phone, yet you feel compelled to answer. You reach over and bring the receiver to your ear.

“Hello?”

From out of the silence, you hear the voice of a man who is lost and confused, asking for help. The voice is unmistakable. It belongs to your wife’s brother, but you know that’s impossible. Your wife’s brother passed away months ago. You attended his funeral service. Your mind reels trying to make sense of what you are hearing.

“Where am I? Why is it so dark? What has happened to me?” the voice pleads. You try and speak to the man, but he doesn’t seem to hear you. Suddenly, the line clicks and goes dead..

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There are few paranormal experiences that can rival the sudden shock and emotional intensity of a ‘telephone call from the dead’. Formally known as technological after-death communications (ADC), they are usually described in positive terms, providing closure, reassurance or a final goodbye. Rarely, a phone call from the dead may be distressing, as illustrated in the story above. This chilling scene is based on a real experience shared by a commenter, signed ‘Siluan’, who has graciously allowed me to share his story in a post. I would like to examine why Siluan and his wife may have received such a call, and most importantly, how to help this family member find peace.

What follows is Siluan’s slightly abridged comment presenting the full detail of his experience (emphasis mine):

I am from an Eastern European country and 15 years ago I met my actual wife who is from the US and was visiting my country. We fell in love, married, and she moved to my country where we have lived ever since. Problem is, she had a brother in the US – a confirmed bachelor, who had presumed she would never marry and would take care of him in his old age. He absolutely hated me and never wanted to meet me or have any contact with me in all these years. He thought I had “stolen” his sister and it was my fault he was all alone in the US while she lived in a foreign country being married to me. I have to say all three of us are/were over 50 years of age.

We managed to juggle the relationship all this time, in that she would visit him, staying in the US for 1-2 months each year. I never saw him in person, and we only spoke on the phone 2 or 3 times when he was calling her and I happened to pick up the phone. Those times we only exchanged a few polite words – but this explains the fact that I know his voice very well.

This man passed away in February, 24 hours after getting his second COVID vaccine. He was alone at home, and was found 3 days after by a worried neighbour. According to his wishes, he was cremated with no religious service. This is what he wanted, leaving specific instructions about it in his will. My wife and I then travelled to the US to settle the inheritance, house, etc.

While we were in the US I received a very strange phone call. It was 5 in the morning, and I was asleep so at first didn’t really understand what was going on. The phone – a landline – rang normally, waking up my wife too – so it was not a dream. On the phone was my wife’s deceased brother – I explained above that I know his voice very well – he sounded very clear, not muffled or echoing. He seemed not to hear me and he did not answer any question from me – he was just talking, as if to himself.

What he said was this: I don’t know where I am; I don’t know how I got here; I am in darkness; I can’t seem to find my way out of this darkness; there is something very strange going on but I don’t know what this is; I can’t see; I don’t know what has happened to me.

I tried to talk to him, calling his name, etc., but he didn’t answer – he just kept repeating these phrases over and over, as if he could not hear me. Then the phone line started getting all kinds of clicks and it cut off. I was completely awake; what’s more, my wife was next to me and she saw me talk on the phone, though she could not hear what the other person was saying.

The landline has a system of recording calls, so we accessed it and it appeared as if the call had come from a common acquaintance in the UK. She is a 87-year-old, ill and bedridden woman. We called her back and of course she had not made any phone call to the US at that time (it was the middle of the night in the UK). Plus, she is a woman and the voice belonged to a man. She lives on her own, so the possibility of a prank call is highly improbable. Now I keep wondering; if this call really came from my wife’s deceased brother, why did he choose to call me, when in life we hardly ever spoke and he could not stand me? And second – what am I supposed to do now? I assume his soul is not at rest. I come from a Christian Orthodox tradition, in which it is a sin to cremate the deceased. He was a lapsed Catholic who rejected his faith and lived as a gay atheist.

by Siluan on August 1, 2021

According to Bill Guggenheim and Judy Guggenheim (1995), authors of ‘Hello From Heaven: A New Field of Research – After-Death Communication Confirms that Life and Love are Eternal’, Technological ADCs are “the least common of the twelve major types of after-death communication (Guggenheim, Chapter 12, “Person to Person”).

Guggenheim et. al., go on to describe examples of telephone ADCs similar to Siluan’s experience. The call quality was variously described as ‘crystal clear’ or with voices that seemed far away. Some calls contained strange clicks or static. When the callers attempted to trace the source of the call, often the numbers were disconnected, unrelated or there was no record of the call being made. Interestingly, when the call drops, there is no dial tone or evidence of an actual ‘hang up’. The line simply drops, also described in Siluan’s experience.

The physical ‘how’ of technological ADCs remain a mystery. Skeptics would suggest that the phenomena is a result of hysterical grief, a sleep-induced hallucination, a terrible prank, or a normal call that is mistaken for an ADC. While I agree that all mundane explanations should be considered, they seem unlikely to explain this case. Siluan and his wife were both awakened by the phone call, so it’s impossible that Siluan dreamed the experience. The call was traced to the home of an acquaintance; an elderly bed-ridden woman who lived alone and confirmed that she did not make the call and had no visitors that night. Lastly, Siluan was not very close to the deceased, and therefore was not in hysterical grief. While we cannot conclusively prove that Siluan received a telephone call from his deceased brother-in-law, we will continue with our examination under that presumption.

The deceased brother-in-law’s words give us some insight into his environment and state of mind after death. Although his message was most certainly distressing, the darkness and confusion he relates has been described by other spirit communicators who passed under some very specific circumstances. Before we can explore how those circumstances result in a particular after-death experience, it’s important that you understand how the afterlife realms are said to function, or more specifically, how our consciousness is believed to operate when not focused through a physical brain on earth.

What we call ‘the afterlife’ is more akin to a mental state than a physical location. The degree that spirits perceive their environment after death as objective and persistent depends on the thought-responsiveness of that particular ‘level’ or ‘realm’, for lack of a better term. Earth, by comparison, has a low index of thought-responsiveness. We form an idea, but then must take physical action in order to bring that idea into fruition in our environment. When consciousness is decoupled form the body, the process seems to be much faster, translating thought into environmental states almost immediately.

“The place you will live in after you die is a manifestation of your inner life.”

Ziewe, Jurgen. Vistas of Infinity – How to Enjoy Life When You Are Dead (p. 70). Lulu.com. Kindle Edition.

To put it more simply, our beliefs, thoughts and attitudes create our afterlife experience. When souls first cross, they experience what they imagined the afterlife to be. In the case of those who don’t believe in life after death, the transition can be particularly difficult because there is no ‘blueprint’ in place. Often death itself is denied, since the spirit feels very much alive. However, without the physical apparatus to function on earth, spirits can become quite confused, resulting in a temporary void experience. I would presume that Siluan’s brother-in-law did not expect to die, or that death was sudden. Combined with a lack of belief in consciousness after death, it’s possible that he became somewhat stuck during his transition. Before we can discuss how to help Siluan’s brother-in-law come to terms with his death and pass peacefully into the spirit world, let’s first examine some additional factors that may have affected his state of mind and immediate after-death experience.

Siluan stated that he was ‘hated’ by his brother-in-law for apparently ‘stealing his sister’. His brother-in-law assumed she would remain unmarried in order to be responsible for his care. His feeling of entitlement over his sister’s life, with no regard for her own wishes, may have led this man to harbor a serious, long-term hatred for his sister’s husband and resentment of her happiness. Additionally, Siluan adds that his brother-in-law was “a lapsed Catholic who rejected his faith and lived as a gay atheist.” At the time when Siluan’s brother-in-law was likely discovering his sexual identity, homosexuality was condemned by the Church as an ‘abomination’. Messages of damnation from the pulpit may have created a strong sense of fear, shame, guilt or a feeling of persecution by God. It’s clear that at some point Siluan’s brother-in-law did live as a gay man, but his decision to ‘reject his faith’ may have been at least partly motivated by his belief that his faith rejected him.

To follow are two spirit communications that may bear similarity to the inferred after-death experience described by Siluan’s brother-in-law. To be clear, these examples were not selected to make a judgment about his character. We are investigating how specific circumstances at death may result in an after-death experience with qualities similar to what was described on the phone call.

The commonalities lie in three facts already presented:

1. He was an atheist with no belief in an afterlife
2. He possessed a hatred toward his brother-in-law and may have resented his sister’s happiness
3. His death may have been sudden and unexpected

Let’s recall the words spoken by Siluan’s brother-in-law during this mysterious phone call and keep them in mind as we read about two other spirits in similar circumstances.

I don’t know where I am; I don’t know how I got here; I am in darkness; I can’t seem to find my way out of this darkness; there is something very strange going on but I don’t know what this is; I can’t see; I don’t know what has happened to me.

The first example comes from ‘A Wanderer in the Spirit Lands’, a text produced through clairaudience by medium A. Farnese in 1896. The spirit’s name is Franchezzo, self-described as a man who lived only for “the highest point of self-gratification” (p. 6). Franchezzo describes himself as vain and prideful, caring little for others in his pursuit of wealth and praise. He was involved in many passionate but empty relationships, and often moved on as soon as he had attained the object of his infatuation. Before his sudden death, he did meet a woman who he felt some real love for, but he died before they could elevate their affection into a true romance. Franchezzo also describes here his former belief about the afterlife, which is to say, he had none:

“..The dead feel nothing more; they turn to dust; they moulder to decay, and all is gone, all is lost to them; they have no more consciousness of anything. […] The priests of my own church had taught me so, but I had scorned them as fools, blind and knavish, who for their own ends taught that men lived again and could only get to heaven through a fate, of which they held the keys, keys that turned only for gold and at the bidding of those who were paid to say masses for the departed soul – priests who made dupes of silly frightened women and weak-minded men. […] I had said I would face death when it came, with the courage of those who know only that for them it must mean total extinction..”

Franchezzo. A Wanderer in the Spirit Lands (p. 9). Start Publishing LLC. Kindle Edition.

Here Franchezzo tells us of his passing:

“And then! Ah! then there came for me an awful, and unexpected day, when with no warning, no sign to awaken me to my position, I was suddenly snatched from life and plunged into that gulf, that death of the body which awaits us all. And I knew not that I had died. I passed from some hours of suffering and agony into sleep – deep, dreamless sleep – and when I awoke it was to find myself alone and in total darkness. I could rise; I could move; surely I was better. but where was I? Why this darkness? why was no light left with me? I arose and groped as one does in a dark room, but I could find no light, hear not sound. there was nothing but the stillness, the darkness of death around me. Then I thought I would walk forward and find the door. I could move, thought slowly and feebly, and I groped on – for how long I know not. It seemed hours, for in my growing horror and dismay I felt I must find some one – some way out of this place; and to my despair I seemed never to find any door, any wall, anything. All seemed space and darkness round me. Overcome at last, I called out aloud! I shrieked, and no voice answered me. Then again and again I called, and still the silence; still no echo, even from my own voice, came back to cheer me.”

Franchezzo. A Wanderer in the Spirit Lands (pp. 7-8). Start Publishing LLC. Kindle Edition.

Franchezzo’s experience is truly a frightening one, but thankfully, he is not lost to the darkness forever. He calls to the one person in his life that he felt true love for and a spark of light appears in the darkness. In that light, he is able to see her, but cannot speak to her. Over time, as he focuses on his selfless love for this young woman and not on his own vanity and pride, he is able to meet guides who help him find peace and usefulness in the spirit world.

The second example comes from ‘Heaven and Hell Unveiled’, by Stafford Betty. I featured this story also in my post “Sometimes You Don’t See the Light – The Void: A Place of Nothingness in the Afterlife” because it perfectly illustrates how certain specific circumstances may create this sensation of darkness and confusion after death.

The subject here is a wealthy southern belle named Marie who describes herself in her former life as “idolized by my parents, pampered, proud, and willful from my infancy” (Betty, p. 53). Marie cares only for money and attention from young men. When she loses the proposal of one young man named Charlie to her friend and rival, Sadie, Marie becomes enraged and obsessed with both the prospect of winning Charlie back and destroying Sadie. Marie dedicates her life to this evil plot, and is partially successful before she dies, coercing Charlie into an affair and the subsequent abandonment of his wife and children. Marie dies not long after her plan comes into fruition, but her obsession with Charlie and her hatred of Sadie have not abated.

Marie falls ill with ‘brain fever’ and has died, but when she regains awareness, she is unaware of her change of state, believing that she has instead recovered from her illness. Here she awakes with the same confusion displayed by Franchezzo:

When I awoke it was dark, horribly dark. I could almost touch the blackness, and I was lying on a bare floor, cold as a block of ice. I called Charlie—my father—my nurse! But there was no response except the echo of my own voice, which seemed to mock and rejoice at the terror I felt creeping over me. Where was I? Great God! Was it possible I had gone mad, or that I had been placed under restraint to keep me from following Charlie? I rose to inspect where I was, to see my surroundings, but in the fever of my fear I fell—fell without the strength to rise. All my senses resolved themselves into the power of feeling—quickened and intensified a hundredfold so that I might contemplate with horror the process of my own petrification—voiceless, sightless, sleepless. […]

When my memory again took up the thread of life I was still in the state of semi-palpable darkness amid a silence that terrified me to listen to. I still didn’t know where I was. I didn’t understand the nature of the great change that had taken place. But I was quite conscious I had gained strength, was free from actual pain, and had acquired the power to move if I wanted to. I also recognized how greatly my condition had improved from where I had been before I lost consciousness, but I yearned for some degree of light, either natural or artificial, so I could make out my surroundings and make some guess as to what had taken place.”

Betty, Stafford. Heaven and Hell Unveiled: Updates from the World of Spirit. (p. 57). White Crow Productions Ltd.. Kindle Edition.

As Marie’s story continues, she eventually calls out in desperation to Charlie, the object of her obsession. Like Franchezzo, this has the effect of creating a circle of light, allowing Marie to visit Charlie. Many years have passed, as she notes from Charlie’s greying hair. Marie still isn’t aware that she has died, and at first believes that she has been reunited with Charlie. She is confused when he doesn’t acknowledge her. She mistakenly thinks that he is intentionally ignoring her, and her confusion turns to rage when Charlie’s new wife comes into the room. It takes over 20 years for Marie to escape the darkness. Although Marie could not perceive anyone other than Charlie, a guide was with Marie the entire time, trying to get through to her. Regardless of what the initial conditions are, no one is left without compassionate help. It required Marie to reevaluate her obsession and hatred before she could perceive anything other than her own misery reflected back to her in the darkness.

Now that we have a better understanding of how a person’s state of mind can seriously alter their afterlife experience, let’s see if we can figure out just what might have happened to Siluan’s brother-in-law, and more importantly, what can be done to help this lost soul. Please remember that this is just my opinion based my study and a fair amount of speculation.

As mentioned, the afterlife is believed to be highly thought-responsive to our beliefs and state of mind. To that end, I believe that Siluan’s brother-in-law unknowingly locked himself into something like mental solitary confinement. As an atheist, he would have believed that only two states exist; the experience of being conscious during physical life, or the extinction of consciousness at death. Since he is indeed still conscious, he would have reasoned that he must still be physically alive. Perception out of the body would necessarily function quite differently, therefore, the lack of physical senses may have compounded his confusion and descent into darkness. After his passing, he may have completely disregarded the flurry of activity around his death as a dream or even changed the narrative to fit his beliefs, such as identifying the body as belonging to someone else (something that often happens in NDEs). Since his focus remains oriented toward his former physical life, he is most likely oblivious to any assistance from the spirit world, like Marie in our earlier example. Based on his comments, “I don’t know where I am; I don’t know how I got here; I am in darkness; I can’t seem to find my way out of this darkness; there is something very strange going on but I don’t know what this is; I can’t see; I don’t know what has happened to me“, it certainly seems to be the case.

“When [an atheist] finds himself on this side of the open door, he will not accept the fact, for he knows that there’s no such place … For a long time this soul may lie in stupor, waiting for the so-called hallucination to pass away. He is vaguely conscious of activity around him, but to him it has no reality. Sometimes a soul wastes eons in this state.”

The Realities of Heaven: Fifty Spirits Describe Your Future Home (p. 54). Momentpoint Media. Kindle Edition.

As Siluan’s brother-in-law approached his passing, he may have been visited by deceased relatives or guides in order to prepare his transition. Termed ‘End of Life Dreams and Visions’ or ELDVs, such visitations usually provide great comfort to the dying and their families and may result in a smoother passing and transition into the spirit world. However, if Siluan’s brother-in-law was visited by friends and family that he knows to be deceased, he may have dismissed them entirely as fictitious in accordance with his beliefs. He may have also subconsciously rejected any imagery that he perceives as religious, owing perhaps to a long-buried fear of judgement. Lastly, if Siluan’s brother-in-law passed while focused on his own anger and resentment, this may have further exacerbated his spiritual blindness. Spirits in a state of negativity have a tendency to turn inward, temporarily blocking any input from their new spiritual reality.

What about the 5AM telephone call? As I mentioned before, the ‘how’ is unknown, but I believe that like Franchezzo and Marie, Siluan’s brother-in-law would have sought help from the one person he felt closest to – his sister. In life, he would have simply picked up the phone and called his sister if he needed help. Desperation combined with a strong intention to communicate may have resulted in the telephone ADC. Although it was Siluan who answered, I believe the phone call was intended for Siluan’s wife. The brother-in-law could not perceive Siluan’s responses on the call precisely because he was focused solely on reaching his sister. Therefore, it would have been her voice, and her voice alone, that he would have been able to perceive in that moment.

In the 1920’s, a Psychiatrist named Dr. Carl Wickland became convinced that confused ‘earthbound’ spirits who were unaware of their own passing had attached themselves to his patients. Along with his wife Anna who acted as a medium, Dr. Wickland used his skills as a psychiatrist to minister to these lost souls, explaining their condition and urging them to move on to the spirit world with friends and relatives who had arrived to help them cross.

There is no indication at the moment that Siluan’s brother-in-law is attached to the ‘aura’ of any living humans, but there is some similarity in his condition with the spirits that Dr. Wickland treated. Dr. Wickland was astutely aware that to help these spirits, he had to change their beliefs and state of mind. From Dr. Wickland’s research, we may find some further insight into what may be happening to Siluan’s brother-in-law.

Dr. Wickland details many of his cases in his book “Thirty Years Among the Dead” published in 1924. In his introduction, he explains what he believes occurs when some souls die unaware of their condition and have no expectation of life after death (emphasis mine):

“The change called “death,”-the word is a misnomer-universally regarded with gloomy fear, occurs so naturally and simply that the greater number, after passing out of the physical are not aware that the transition has been made, and having no knowledge of a spiritual life, they are totally unconscious of having passed into another state of being.

Deprived of their physical sense organs, they are shut out from the physical light, and lacking, a mental perception of the high purpose of existence, these individuals are spiritually blind and find themselves in a twilight condition-the “outer darkness” mentioned in the Bible-and linger in the realm known as the Earth Sphere.

Death does not make a saint of a sinner, nor a sage of a fool. The mentality is the same as before and individuals carry with them their old desires, habits, dogmas, faulty teachings, indifference or disbelief in a future life. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Prov. 23:7. Assuming spirit forms which are the result of their thought life on earth, millions remain for a time in the earth sphere, and often in the environment of their earth lives, still held by their habits or interests. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also”. Matt. 6:21. Those who have progressed to the higher spirit world ever endeavor to enlighten these earthbound spirits, but the latter, due to preconceptions concerning the hereafter, labor under the delusion that the departed are “dead,” or are “ghosts,” and often refuse to recognize their friends or to realize their own condition.

Many are in a state of heavy sleep, others are lost or confused; troubled minds may be haunted by fear of the strange darkness, those conscience stricken suffer in anguish or remorse for their, earth conduct; some, impelled by selfish or evil inclinations, seek an outlet for their tendencies, remaining in this condition until these destructive desires are outgrown, when the soul cries out for understanding and light, and progressed spirits are able to reach them and aid them.

Dr. Carl Wickland. Thirty Years Among the Dead (pp. 5-6). Rev. Steven Earl York. Kindle Edition.

Dr. Wickland’s wife Anna is able to channel these spirits once they are detached from the living host. Dr. Wickland then attempts to convince the spirit that they have died and will not find peace until they leave the earth sphere. Convincing the spirits of their true nature has a single purpose: to allow them to perceive the guides trying to help them from the other side. When a soul is so focused on the earth, often only the living can communicate with them. They remain blind to any communication from other spirits until they realize the truth of their own condition.

Dr. Wickland states that the best way to communicate with such spirits is through the use of a medium, and warns that those who are ill-equipped in dealing with the spirit world should not attempt this work themselves. “Ignorant psychic experimentation may prove injurious when dabbled in by those who neglect the necessary precautions and lack understanding of the laws which govern the subject, just as ignorance and disregard of the laws governing everyday life may prove dangerous” (Wickland, p. 13).

I agree; unless someone is truly experienced with that line of work, I would never recommend attempting direct contact with a spirit. Siluan also mentioned his Christian orthodox religious beliefs, so it is likely that any direct contact with a spirit is forbidden, or at least seriously discouraged. Therefore, my recommended process will not attempt two-way communication with the brother, but will rely on divine intermediaries to provide assistance. It’s still important to have Siluan’s wife address her brother since it’s possible that she is the only one on earth who he is ‘tuned’ into. A prayerful message of forgiveness and guidance may convince the brother-in-law to see and accept the help of spirit guides who will conduct him to the next world. In addition to the guidance provided by Dr. Wick’s process, I have consulted two modern books on spirit rescue and have included some of the author’s recommendations in this process.

From here, I will direct my response to Siluan to discuss the matter of assisting his brother-in-law to complete his transition:

Siluan, I appreciate your kindness toward your brother-in-law and your desire to see his soul rested despite his ill-will toward you. This plan can be modified according to you and your wife’s beliefs and comfort level. The most important aspect is your sincerity. If your request is performed in an honest and prayerful manner, you will have the best chance of success. My hope is that once completed successfully, you will receive some sort of sign that it has worked.

This should be done at night when the world is quiet, and your minds are not cluttered with the worries of the day. You’ll both need to approach this absolute kindness and forgiveness. If you need time to come to terms with any remaining resentment or bitterness, it would be good to discuss it together and resolve any remaining feelings beforehand. An earth-oriented spirit may sense your negativity and it may reinforce their desire to avoid crossing over into the spirit world.

First, you’ll need to choose an intermediary. Since you have mentioned that you are part of an Orthodox Christian religion, I might suggest one of the seven Archangels. The Archangel Azrael is the most obvious choice, but any that you feel comfortable with will be fine. You could also ask a guide or a deceased relative from your wife’s family to assist, preferably someone that your brother-in-law would trust. What is most important is that you feel comfortable with who you are communicating with and that you believe they will have sufficient skill to assist in this situation.

Begin by asking your chosen intermediary to please come to the aid of your brother-in-law and to help facilitate an important message from his sister. Your wife should speak from the heart, so the suggestions I am providing should not serve as a script, but as a guide.

I would recommend your wife begin by explaining to her brother that his body has died and was cared for according to his wishes. What he has been experiencing is not a dream or hallucination, but his own consciousness or mind that has survived death. You wife might mention that the darkness he is experiencing is temporary and help is coming. You may wish to also express your own forgiveness to this man, despite how he has treated you. Reiterate how much that you love and care for his sister, and did not intend to supplant him in her life.

When you are ready, ask the intermediary to open a portal to the spirit world. If you chose a family member or friend in spirit to assist, ask the intermediary to bring them close. Visualize a light appearing in the darkness, like a brilliantly lit door opening into a dark room. You wife should now say something similar to this: “[Brother], look around you. Do you see a place that is getting lighter? Look for the light around you. Look closely. Do you see someone that you know there? Someone is there waiting for you. It’s okay to go with them. They aren’t here to judge you, they are here to help you. All people are welcome, including you. You will still be able to visit with me, but for now it’s important that you go with them. There’s a beautiful world waiting for you there, so there is no more reason to stay in the darkness.”

You and your wife may be able to sense a feeling of closure when this is completed. Lastly, ask the intermediary to send you a sign in the next few days to tell you that your brother-in-law has made the transition successfully.

Siluan, thank you again for sharing this experience with me and with the readers of the blog. I sincerely hope that you and your wife experience closure and that your brother-in-law finds peace in the next world.

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Thankfully, distressing transition experiences like what may have occurred with Siluan’s brother-in-law seem to be rare. In the vast majority of spirit communications, the process of dying is described as beautiful welcoming to a bright realm of love and joy. Deathbed visions, or ELDVs, can provide a tantalizing glimpse of the boundary between our world and the next. One of the first investigators to record ELDVs, also called ‘Deathbed Visions’ was Sir William Barrett, a co-founder of the Society of Psychical Research. In his book ‘Deathbed Visions’ published in 1926, he relates an experience witnessed by his wife at the bedside of a young woman dying after giving birth. Initially, she was frightened by her failing condition, but soon became filled with a look of wonder as she stared off into the distance. When asked by Lady Barrett what she was seeing, she replied, “Lovely brightness.. wonderful beings!” They brought her newborn to her which she considered lovingly, wondering if she could stay for her baby’s sake. Retuning to the vision, she said, “I can’t—I can’t stay; if you could see what I do, you would know I can’t stay.” She passed away an hour later, in peace.

Another more recent deathbed vision was shared by the family of Steve Jobs, founder of Apple. Jobs’ last moments were described by his sister in her eulogy:

“Before embarking, he’d looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life’s partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them.

“Steve’s final words were: ‘Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.”

The Guardian, 2011

Even for those spirits who pass with some difficulty, I would like to reassure my readers that the spirits describe a realm of caring, compassionate souls. What will become of Siluan’s brother-in-law in the next world? We can hope that with the loving guidance provided, he will let go of his fear and hate, opening himself up to the great new adventure that awaits. His guide will commend his soul into the care of those who specialize in rehabilitation. Perhaps he will find his way to The Rest Home where Francis Banks, a former Catholic Nun, is now ministering to wounded souls like Siluan’s brother-in-law, that he may be freed from his earthly sorrows and begin a new life in the spirit world.

“Our work is to be on hand when those newly arrived entities awake to awareness…Our “patients” stay with us until they have adjusted to this new life and are ready to join their dear ones or their special Groups….With understanding, extreme gentleness and certainly no hint of censure, the Sisters explain the Rest Home and its purpose. The newcomers are then introduced to the idea of an expanding progress and are encouraged to right the wrongs they have done in their earth lives by concentrated thoughts of forgiveness and compassion. I suppose you could call this a hospital, a home of rest upon the Way and a “kindergarten” teaching-center. All these terms would be correct. The weary souls, the frightened souls, the ignorant and “fallen” souls, together with those who have been “rescued” from the “Land of Shadows” require understanding and explanation of their sore states, and there are some to whom Survival has to be explained, even demonstrated. Many will not accept the fact of death, or prefer to consider that they still dream.”

“Thoughts are truly things. That is why, when an entity comes over to this plane he, or she, automatically graduates to the rightful plane. That is Law. It also explains why some folk are so surprised and dismayed at their surroundings. For instance, one who has lived an ordinary good life shall we say, doing the right things, attending to his outward religious observances, but all the time concealing within himself black thoughts of envy, malice, uncharitableness, will find himself in the company of such as he is, and sometimes of those worse than he is. Dismay will fill his soul until he realizes that this great Law is just, and until he makes efforts to adjust his thinking to Love, Charity, Truth and to try to redress the wrongs he has worked on others. In these efforts there is always help at hand, always more advanced souls ready to comfort, to listen and to teach him. There are souls too, ready to guide him to higher realms and to happier company.”

Greaves, Helen. Testimony of Light: An Extraordinary Message of Life After Death (pp. 84-85, 87). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

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References and Recommended Reading

Vistas of Infinity – How to Enjoy Life When You Are Dead. Ziewe, Jurgen. Lulu.com, 2016

A Wanderer In The Spirit Lands. A. Farnese; Franchezzo. 1896

Heaven and Hell Unveiled: Updates From the World of Spirit. Betty, Stafford. White Crow Books, 2014

The Realities of Heaven: Fifty Spirits Describe Your Future Home. Allen, Miles Edward. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015

Thirty Years Among the Dead. Wickland, Carl A. 1924

Testimony of Light: An Extraordinary Message of Life After Death. Greaves, Helen. Penguin Publishing Group, 1977

The Soul Rescue Manual: Releasing Earthbound Spirits. Rodriguez, Patrick. 2013

Afterlife Interrupted: Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over. A Catholic Priest Explores The Interrupted Death Experience. Castle, Nathan. Fluid Creations, 2018