Before Ruth died, we agreed on her ghost' sign. Experts say it's a powerful tool for working through grief

"Negotiating a ghost pact with my friend as she lay on her deathbed was, without question, my most surreal. The pact itself was simple: after my friend Ruth Francis departed this world, she was to give me a sign from beyond the grave. It had to be obvious, and it had to be funny."

"Psychologists, sociologists and funeral directors all say the same thing: searching for signs from the dead is not just a quirk of the mystically inclined. Unexplained coincidences such as a clock stopping, a garden withering, or the sudden appearance of a familiar smell or sound are common."

"When someone dies, the relationship changes, but it doesn't end. What happens is suddenly our surrounds are once again seen as filled with meaning."

A surreal ghost pact was made between friends as one lay dying, requesting a humorous sign from beyond. Despite not believing in ghosts, the pact provided comic relief amid tragedy. The need for signs from the deceased is common, as explained by psychologists and sociologists. These signs help individuals feel connected to lost loved ones, transforming their surroundings into meaningful spaces. The relationship with the deceased evolves but does not end, allowing for continued emotional ties even after death.

Read at www.theguardian.com