Older widowers and postdeath encounters: a qualitative investigation

This study examined older widowers' descriptions and interpretations of their postdeath encounters, including sense of presence experiences and sensory experiences (e.g., saw the deceased, heard the deceased's voice). Six older widowers who had reported at least one postdeath encounter were interviewed. Their responses were interpreted within a constructivist perspective. Each widower's explanation of the encounters generally matched his individual religious/spiritual worldview. The participants used both internal (e.g., "My mind was tricking me") and external (e.g., a sign from heaven) sources to explain their postdeath encounters. The author presents implications for future research.