This is a question I get asked often, and I’ve encountered many situations that can help shed some light on it. When people lose their loved ones, they often sense their presence nearby. But they’re left wondering—are they really there, or is it just their imagination? What is actually happening?

In several cases, people have come to me deeply concerned because they’ve seen or sensed their loved ones, sometimes in the middle of the night, appearing in their room. They start to worry that their loved one hasn’t moved on to the next world. From my experiences, it seems that our loved ones can linger for a couple of weeks before they fully transition.

In the instances where people have come to me with these concerns, it has been fairly easy to offer them reassurance. I can sense their loved ones, and they are at peace. But it’s important to approach this practically and consider what’s really happening.

We are all spiritual beings, temporarily housed in a physical body. When we take our last breath, our suffering disappears, and we return to our true nature—spiritual beings. During this transition, the soul becomes light and free from pain, watching over their loved ones and sensing what they are going through. This period, before moving on to the next world, can last for a few weeks.

During this time, the spirit may slowly acquire spiritual sight, allowing them to see their loved ones and witness what is happening on Earth. This can be both a time of emotional connection and newfound freedom. The spirit is no longer bound by the physical, and by the power of thought, they can move anywhere in the world. However, they also witness their loved ones grieving, which may cause them to wonder how they can help. This phase serves as a stepping stone before they transition fully to the next world.

This is where the role of mediums and spiritual practitioners becomes important. When you understand that after death, there is a transitional period before moving on, it can bring relief, both to the spirit and to those left behind. Many people are caught off guard if they believe that death is the end, only to wake up and realize there is life beyond. However, if you have even a basic understanding that life continues after death, the experience is far less shocking.

For the loved ones left behind, knowing that the departed are moving on to a better place and that they can still communicate, pray, and offer support can greatly ease the grieving process. Often, spirits witness their own funeral service, though sometimes they are kept away from such events until they are ready to cope with it.

I’ve encountered cases where people seek readings soon after a loved one has passed, despite the belief that spirits can’t come through so quickly. Surprisingly, in a few readings I’ve done, I didn’t realize that the person’s loved one had recently passed, yet their spirit still came through. This can bring immense relief to both the grieving individual and the spirit, though it doesn’t always happen right away. It depends on the spirit’s ability to cope and their readiness for that connection.

People often ask whether spirits always move on to the next world, and in most cases, they do. However, we all have free will, and some may choose to stay a little longer until they feel ready. But typically, within a few weeks, most spirits have transitioned peacefully.