Guest Article By Carla Wills-Brandon, M.A., Ph.D. What is a Death Bed Vision? We live in a very "death phobic" society. Dying family and friends are often relegated to nursing homes and hospitals, away from the comfort of loved ones and the familiar surroundings of home. In years gone by, those passing were not pushed out of sight, away from the world of the living. Just 100 years ago, it was very common for passings to take place at home, in one's bed, with one's favorite dog at the foot of the bed, wrapped up in a beloved quilt or afgan, surrounded by family and friends. During such passings, the one preparing to cross into an after life existence would tie up loose family ends, discuss a last Will and Testiment, make funeral arrangements, say good bye and share any visions of an after life they were having. These visions, deathbed visions, were seen as "normal" by those generations before us, but today, many of us are encountering them for the first time. This phenomena is nothing new. It has been described over and over again, for as long as time can remember. What is a deathbed vision or DBV? DBVs come in all shapes and sizes. Some people, who are moving toward life on the otherside receive visitations from deceased relatives or friends. Others encounter angels, or religious figures. These visions are also encountered by many of those who survive the passing of a loved one. These visitations have a specific purpose which is, to comfort the one who is about the pass and assure them that life continues. No, death of the physical body is not the end. Many of the accounts contained in One Last Hug Before I Go: The Mystery and Meaning of Death Bed Visions, by Carla Wills-Brandon, Ph.D. discuss seeing a wisp of "something" leaving the body of a friend or relative at the moment of passing." Those who are about to leave will often talk about seeing beautiful landscapes on the other side and then state this is where they will be after they leave this life. In most cases, once one has had such a vision, death is no longer something to fear. DBVs bring comfort not only to the dying, but to those who love them. "Yes, my Da is going to the sky!" My own son had a powerful DBVs when he was just 3 years of age. Visited by an other worldly creature who shared he was here to take my father in law with him, left my son confident his Da was all right. Those surviving the passing of a loved one are often visited by the deceased at the moment of death. This one quick hug before leaving, provides the survivor with concrete proof that loved ones are only a whisper away. If you yourself have had an other worldly vision which you feel are connected to the passing of a loved one, you are not alone. If your dying loved one has shared with you tales of visitations by deceased relatives, loved ones or other beings, know that what they were seeing was real. Possibly your friend or dear one who was passing talked about visiting a beautiful place while sleeping, or maybe they shared with you that they had "talked to God," "Jesus," "the angel of death," "angels in white," or "light beings." These are not uncommon statements from those who are leaving this world for the next. DBVs have been with us throughout history. For instance, Jewish Hasidic literature is full of stories describing the death bed visions of famous Rabbis. One hour before Rabbi Shmelke died, he saw his deceased father, Rabbi Moshe Leib, standing right next to him! He also saw his deceased teacher, Rabbi Mikhal. Those who buried Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic movement, said they saw his soul leave the earth plane. These followers of this historically famous Rebbe, described seeing a blue flame ascending to the heavens! In 1923, a researcher brought together numerous accounts of death bed visions and put them in a small book titled, "Death Bed Visions." Sir William Barrett's wife, a physician, had a patient who reported an incredible vision. This account spurred the Barrett's interest in death bed visions (DBV) and the two spent the rest of their lives researching not only the visions of the dying, but other related phenomena. In his book, Barrett described one very interesting aspect of the accounts he had collected from children. During DBV experiences, children were surprised to see that the angels in their visions did not have wings! Isn't it interesting that even though traditional religion and myth portrays angels as beings with huge, feathered wings, the dying children who actually saw these celestial creatures, reported there were no wings? Almost 40 years later, another researcher, Dr. Karlis Osis, decided to follow up on Barrett's DBV work with a pilot study of his own. He too found a number of interesting things. Dr. Osis noted that people who were close to death or dying and had a DBV, typically saw people who had already passed. He also discovered that these visitors came to the dying person to offer assistance in the dying process. Deceased friends or relatives came to escort the dying person to an after life. One very interesting finding noted by Osis, contradicts certain religious tenants. According to his research, previous religious beliefs did not appear to determine WHO would have a DBV before dying. In other words, both believers and nonbelievers had powerful DBVs. In Osis' initial pilot study, patients who had DBVs were not on medications. In some cases, family members and friends at the death bed, also saw deceased relatives, friends, religious figures or angels. Though Osis originally set out to prove that Death Bed Visions were only a by product of the dying process (hallucinations of a dying brain) he came away from his research with more questions than could be answered. Dr. Osis, like Dr. Barrett, decided this phenomena could not be so easily explained. In my book One Last Hug Before I Go, I not only examine the research of Barrett and Osis, but also take a look at many current day DBVs. This most fascinating study of the "unknown" has lead me to believe: a.) Science cannot explain this phenomena, b.) DBVs have been with us since the beginning of time, c.) These experiences point to an after life existence and d.) We have an awful lot to learn from them. My basic reason for writing One Last Hug Before I Go was to enlighten society about life after death. I wanted to show the public at large that the Death Bed Visions have been with us for centuries. I believe it is time for us to do as our ancestors did in generations gone by. We need to once again, pay attention to the words of those who are leaving this world. Brief Bio: Carla Wills-Brandon is the author of eight published books and has appeared on the following television programs: The Geraldo Rivera Show The Jenny Jones Show  The Montel Williams Show  The Mary Lou Henner Show  The Sally Jesse Raphael Show  Many, many more! Currently, Ms.Wills-Brandon is working on a manuscript which addresses healthy spirituality. Aside from her work in a private practice with her husband, Michael Brandon, Ph.D., a child psychologist, this author has also lectured across the United States and in the United Kingdom. She and her husband have been married for 23 years and they have two children. Ms.Wills-Brandon and her family live in an old historical home on an island just off the coast of Texas. She and her husband work out of another 100 year old restored historical home which is located just outside of Houston. If you have any questions about Ms.Wills-Brandon, e-mail at: carla.wills@brandon.net. We would like to thank Ms.Wills-Brandon for her contribution to our site, more details of her research and work can be found on her website, a link to which can be found on our links page. [Home][Top][Back] If page is loaded out of frames click Here This material may not be copied, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Ghost Watch UK are not held responsible for any actions taken after reading any of our pages!