How consulting a medium after bereavement influences the grieving process – an interpretative phenomenological analysis

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of ‘assisted’ after-death communications (ADCs) (that is, through a medium), on the grieving process of the bereaved. It also sought to explore the existential dimensions experienced by the bereaved. Six bereaved participants in the UK who had experienced assisted ADCs took part in semi- structured interviews. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith et al., 2009). The emerging themes were: 1) Pain and Loss (living with grief after the bereavement); 2) Being with Others; 3) The Unknown; 4) Religious/Spiritual Beliefs and 5) Reflections on Life and Death after Assisted ADCs. Key findings showed that the participants were able to form a continuing bond with the deceased through spontaneous and assisted ADCs, which was comforting. More specifically, assisted ADCs (medium readings) facilitated ‘bilateral communication’ for resolving unfinished business, reassurance, and giving advice. A novel finding was a discarnate who communicated (through the medium) about his life in the ‘other world.’

The existential analysis showed that a continuing bond was a complex transition experienced in all four dimensions of existence (physical, personal, social and spiritual). The findings also showed that becoming bereaved was an ontological experience for the participants, who became very aware of aspects of their existence, including beliefs, meaning and purpose, and their mortality. The implications of the findings relate to the necessity for counselling professionals and mental health practitioners to understand and acknowledge the reality and potentially positive role that ADCs play in managing grief and supporting those experiencing them without judgment.