‘I’ve seen loved ones visit from the grave countless times’

A Soul Midwife has given an insight into the mystery of what happens when we die. Felicity Warner, who has been a “death doula” for 25 years, describes in her recent book what happens when we die both physically and spiritually.

According to Warner, many people experience visits from departed loved ones towards the end of their life. These experiences help give people comfort before they pass. She said: “Towards the end, many people experience visits from departed loved ones. I have sat in rooms as people on the edge of death appear to greet their ancestors with joy and even hold lengthy conversations with them. Whether you believe these are real or hallucinations, in my experience, they provide great comfort to those in their final moments.”

She added: “When someone about to die tells me they hope particular ancestors will help, perhaps parents or grandparents, I call them by name, inviting them into the room and the bedside.

“I place a symbol of them (this could be a photograph or a piece of jewellery that belonged to them) on a table nearby and I ask for their help, love and guidance in gratitude.”

Warner also said in her book that hearing is the final sense that people lose. This means that people can often hear what you’re saying – despite seeming to be deeply asleep or unconscious.

She explained, as reported by the Daily Mail: “Always speak kindly and softly and tell them what you are doing or who is coming to visit them. If you have to leave the room, let them know that you are leaving, and why.”

There are over 1,000 trained Soul Midwives in the UK. Many of them work alongside dosctors and nurses in salaried roles. with the NHS spending a fifth of its funds on end-of-life care every year.

Part of the job of a Soul Midwife is to help calm down patients during their treatment. They help to alleviate fear and trauma by creating a peaceful space.

Warner said: “Soul Midwives often drape coloured silk squares on parts of the body to bring a sense of calm and security during treatments. Or you could bring in cushions or throws in the specific colour you want to use.

“Red encourages adrenaline and can be used to stimulate empowerment, positivity and focus in the early active stages of an illness. Orange is an appetite-stimulant, and a friendly and outgoing colour. Yellow, a very cheerful and sociable colour, is useful for alleviating depression.

“Green is the colour of balance and harmony and used to help relaxation and connection with nature. Blue is a peaceful, calming and stabilising colour and has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate.”