![Ugh the title of these is exactly as uncomfortable as I feel. Last night I dreamt that my mom had died (she did die irl in July 2024, a few months ago). I decided to take her body home. I don't remember the rationale, but I want to say I wanted to do death cares (cleaning, dressing, etc) at home rather than a funeral home... idk its a dream.
Well I got her body home, and then I left for a day or two (again, idk). I came back and moms body was sitting in her red recliner, the same one she had in life. She was slumped forward like she tried to get up and was stuck. I remember thinking in the dream this not where I left her. She looked like a theatrical dead body with purple and blue skin. I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back to sit her upright, and she spoke! I don't remember now what it was, but it was "[something], baby". Mom called me baby irl.
then the dream did a scene shift and now mom was laying in a small bed near the entry way of my house. She was alert, awake, and... decomposing in real time. I lifted her hospital gown she was still in (mom died in the hospital irl) and saw her flesh develop holes and leak goo. I looked at her and said, "We need to call the undertaker." She said, "No just wait until morning, that's when my caregiver gets here." (mom always said something like this in life. She didn't want me to fuss and always said no I'll just wait for my caregiver to do it). I also asked her what she wanted to do with her body, and she said she wanted a burial. (I never got to ask this in life - I cremated her since we cremated my dad).
I started to argue with her about needing to call the undertaker so she didn't dissolve in front of my eyes, then I woke up before I did anything.
Another point to note it that at some point in this dream, I went over to the table in my dining room where my parents' urns sit right now irl, and in the dream the urns weren't there. Even in the dream I thought that was odd as if I was attempting to lucid dream, however I shrugged it off because why would mom's urn be there when her CORPSE is in my living room!?
Now as disturbing as all this is, I don't consider it a nightmare. It was uncomfortable but I was so startled by the whole thing, and I was just kinda glad to see mom alive even though she was not acting like herself and was leaking corpse goo. I also find it funny that in the dream there was a clearly alarming situtation happening and mom was not concerned whatsoever while I was like "uhhh I need to do something asap". This happened ALL the time in life - mom would go through a crisis situation, I would freak out, and she would just kinda let it all happen. Mostly because her disability made a lot of things out of her control, so she kinda floated through life in her final years.
So, reddit, wtf does this all mean? I have NEVER dreamt about the corpse of a loved one before.](https://flask-aws-demo.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/7a369622-2db6-4413-a751-7ccc1feaf3b8.png)
Ugh the title of these is exactly as uncomfortable as I feel. Last night I dreamt that my mom had died (she did die irl in July 2024, a few months ago). I decided to take her body home. I don't remember the rationale, but I want to say I wanted to do death cares (cleaning, dressing, etc) at home rather than a funeral home... idk its a dream. Well I got her body home, and then I left for a day or two (again, idk). I came back and moms body was sitting in her red recliner, the same one she had in life. She was slumped forward like she tried to get up and was stuck. I remember thinking in the dream this not where I left her. She looked like a theatrical dead body with purple and blue skin. I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back to sit her upright, and she spoke! I don't remember now what it was, but it was "[something], baby". Mom called me baby irl. then the dream did a scene shift and now mom was laying in a small bed near the entry way of my house. She was alert, awake, and... decomposing in real time. I lifted her hospital gown she was still in (mom died in the hospital irl) and saw her flesh develop holes and leak goo. I looked at her and said, "We need to call the undertaker." She said, "No just wait until morning, that's when my caregiver gets here." (mom always said something like this in life. She didn't want me to fuss and always said no I'll just wait for my caregiver to do it). I also asked her what she wanted to do with her body, and she said she wanted a burial. (I never got to ask this in life - I cremated her since we cremated my dad). I started to argue with her about needing to call the undertaker so she didn't dissolve in front of my eyes, then I woke up before I did anything. Another point to note it that at some point in this dream, I went over to the table in my dining room where my parents' urns sit right now irl, and in the dream the urns weren't there. Even in the dream I thought that was odd as if I was attempting to lucid dream, however I shrugged it off because why would mom's urn be there when her CORPSE is in my living room!? Now as disturbing as all this is, I don't consider it a nightmare. It was uncomfortable but I was so startled by the whole thing, and I was just kinda glad to see mom alive even though she was not acting like herself and was leaking corpse goo. I also find it funny that in the dream there was a clearly alarming situtation happening and mom was not concerned whatsoever while I was like "uhhh I need to do something asap". This happened ALL the time in life - mom would go through a crisis situation, I would freak out, and she would just kinda let it all happen. Mostly because her disability made a lot of things out of her control, so she kinda floated through life in her final years. So, reddit, wtf does this all mean? I have NEVER dreamt about the corpse of a loved one before.
Dreams involving deceased loved ones can often be a profound reflection of grief, unresolved feelings, and the process of letting go. Here are some interpretations of the themes and elements present in your dream:
Processing Grief: Since your mother recently passed away, it's natural that your subconscious is working through your feelings of loss. Dreaming of her body might represent an attempt to confront the reality of her death and the emotions surrounding it. The detailed imagery of caring for her body may reflect your desire to nurture and honor her even in death, highlighting the deep bond you shared.
Desire for Control: The act of taking your mother's body home and wanting to perform "death cares" suggests a strong desire for control over the situation. In life, her disability may have made her feel helpless in various circumstances. Your dream could be a manifestation of the urge to finally take control in a situation where you felt powerless.
Conflict between Acceptance and Denial: Your feelings during the dream, where you are both alarmed by the decaying body and comforted by her presence, could reflect the conflict you may be experiencing between accepting her death and wanting to hold onto her memory. The decomposing imagery symbolizes the inevitability of loss, while her voice and presence represent the comfort of her love.
Communication and Unfinished Business: The dialogue in your dream, especially the line where she wanted you to wait for her caregiver, underscores potential unfinished conversations you wish you had with her. This may relate to questions regarding her care in her final moments, her burial wishes, or anything left unsaid. Dreams often provide space for reflecting on these unresolved issues.
Lucid Awareness: Your awareness that the urns were absent in the dream may point to a level of consciousness you had about your feelings and the surreal nature of grief. It could imply an understanding that while her physical form is no longer present, her essence remains with you, symbolized by the urns in real life.
Comforting Memories: The dream's blend of discomfort and relief can show how you hold onto the positive memories of her, despite the unsettling circumstances. Her calling you "baby" may symbolize her enduring connection to you and her wish to offer comfort, even posthumously.
Overall, while this dream is highly symbolic and can be troubling, it reflects the complexity of grief and the myriad of emotions that come with it. It’s vital to allow yourself space to feel these emotions and consider reflecting on them either through journaling, therapy, or discussions with loved ones who can relate to your experience.