Source: “Seeing the Messiah: An Analysis of the Postmortem Appearances of Jesus Christ and the Lubavitcher Rebbe Against the Backdrop of Apparitional Phenomena”, By Jonathan Kendall, MD, 2025.
6. Transitional_Apparitions.mp4
6. Investigating Deathbed Visions.pdf
6. Shared_Death_Experiences_and_Apparitions_Examined.m4a
This topic explores the phenomenon of transitional apparitions, which are visions of deceased loved ones or religious figures experienced by individuals nearing death. The source highlights the unique nature of shared death experiences, where healthy bystanders—such as family members or medical staff—witness the same apparitions or enter a vivid, collective vision alongside the dying person. Through various case studies, the author distinguishes these occurrences from typical medical hallucinations by emphasizing instances of corroborated testimony and the revelation of previously unknown information, such as the death of a distant relative. Ultimately, the narrative suggests that these encounters often lead to a radical transformation of worldview, providing a sense of peace and the profound assurance that no one truly dies alone.
It’s one thing to hear stories about the edge of life; it’s another to be pulled into it. One witness, present when a child's EEG flattened, described being included in an "indescribable, ecstatic reunion" as the boy's deceased mother came to collect him. Part of her, she said, left her body and accompanied them toward a brilliant light before she fell back. The experience was so powerful that it caused her worldview to undergo a "radical transformation."
This account is not as isolated as one might think. It belongs to a category of profound events that challenge our conventional understanding of consciousness. These phenomena, known as "transitional apparitions"—also called "take away apparitions" or "bystander apparitions"—and "shared death experiences," involve not just the dying person but sometimes the healthy, lucid individuals at their bedside. This article explores five of the most surprising and thought-provoking phenomena reported by those who bear witness to life's final moments.