After-Death Communication Phenomenon
After-death communication (ADC) is a common phenomenon yet it lacks empirical study (Long, 1999). ADC is defined by ADCRF as "a spontaneous experience of communication with a deceased friend or family member" (p. 1). ADC is not a new phenomenon and many accounts of ADC are recorded in the Bible. The study of ADC began with investigations in the 1890s and included surveys of different respondents. The following was revealed: in 1958, 50% of England widows reported that they had contact with an individual that died; in 1971, 47% of Wales widows responded affirmatively; in 1975 27% of Americans responded affirmatively, in 1976, 31% of Icelanders and in 1977, 50% of Canadians responded affirmatively (Long, 1999). Thus, ADC experiences are reported around the world in multiple geographic and cultural areas. Adults and children of all ages and backgrounds report ADC experiences (Long, 1999).
Guggenheim and Guggenheim (2000) reported that ADC is as old as mankind. These authors interviewed 2,000 people nationwide (children through elderly), between 1988 and 1995. This group represented diverse educational, social, economic, occupational, and religious backgrounds. Over 3,300 firsthand accounts of ADCs were collected; these included contact by a deceased family member or friend. These experiences did not involve psychics, mediums, hypnotists, or other devised and they included direct and spontaneous communications. The twelve most common types of ADC include: sensing a presence; hearing a voice; feeling a touch; smelling a fragrance; visual experiences; visions; twilight experiences; ADC experiences while sleeping; out-of-body ADCs; telephone calls; physical phenomena; and symbolic ADCs. For most, ADCs are valued experiences that are cherished and result in an expansion of the understanding of life and life after death. ADCs result in the understanding that "life and love are eternal" ...