Honouring Death - A Gentle Exploration of Life’s Inevitable Passage
- Anuja Nair
- Apr 7
- 7 min read
There’s nothing more intriguing to us than death, yet we have an “oh-no” relationship with it. Almost all of us have, at some point, experienced the loss of someone close, yet we are still in shock when it happens. It is a daily occurrence in our lives, constantly projected by the media, yet if there is one aspect of life we struggle to come to terms with, it is death. The only certainties in life are death and uncertainty. We know that all who are born will one day die, yet we find it difficult to comprehend the loss of our loved ones. The truth is, we are not prepared for it.
In this article, I want to explore:
A Universal Transition
To each of us, death holds a deeply personal meaning. It may represent the loss of a loving support, a beloved companion, or a guiding presence. Others may view it as the conclusion of a life well lived, drawing inspiration from it. Sometimes, death brings relief—the relief of seeing someone freed from suffering or even the relief of release from someone who caused suffering.
I aim to explore death from a spiritual perspective and bring greater acceptance to something that happens every single day. We hear about death constantly, yet our emotions around it are mixed. When it is someone close to us, the feelings are deep, but when we encounter it through the media, we can be dismissive or even sarcastic.
In my practice of Past Life Regression, I have observed that the moments surrounding death in previous lifetimes hold great significance. The time leading up to death, the moment of transition, and the life review stages are profoundly revealing. Through this work, I have come to see that death is often a gentler and more relieving process than birth, which is laborious and intense.
This is a topic frequently met with fear and sorrow, but in truth, it is expansive, beautiful, and deeply meaningful.
The Many Faces of Death
Have you ever heard of cases where someone narrowly escapes danger, only to meet their end unexpectedly soon after? A person cancels a flight last minute, only to pass away in an accident days later. Someone survives a war but dies in a simple fall at home. A child predicts their passing in a dream, and it happens.
For simplicity and ease of understanding I have broadly categorised the types of death.
Natural Death – A life fully lived, with the body gracefully bowing out (e.g., old age, illness after a long journey).
Sudden Death – A door that closes without warning (e.g., accidents, heart attacks). While shocking, some sudden deaths create ripples that change lives in profound ways.
Peaceful Death – A soft sigh, a gentle transition (e.g., passing in sleep, end-of-life acceptance).
Traumatic Death – A rupture in the journey, often carrying shock and unanswered questions (e.g., violence, unnatural causes, earthquakes, tsunami, pandemics).
Near-Death Experiences – A glimpse beyond, a pause between worlds, then a return (e.g., clinical death and revival, coma awakenings).
Prolonged Death – A slow farewell, where life lingers between suffering and surrender (e.g., cancer, chronic illness).
Self-Chosen Death – A soul’s difficult choice, often weighed down by inner storms and suffering (e.g., suicide, assisted death).
Fated Death – A departure that feels pre-written, unfolding in a way that makes us pause and wonder (e.g., untimely yet strangely aligned passings, uncanny premonitions of death).
Fear, Loss, and The Unspoken
Death is not only physical; it is symbolic as well. Endings of relationships, loss of identities, shifts in beliefs, and transitions between life phases all carry the essence of death and renewal. Just as nature sheds its leaves to welcome new growth, we too experience these ‘small deaths’ as part of our evolution.
Why do we fear death? Perhaps it is the fear of the unknown, the grief of losing someone we love, or the reminder of our own mortality. In moments of stillness, when we truly reflect, we may realize that our fear of death is also a fear of an unfulfilled life.
The uncertainty surrounding impending loss, as well as the distress of the dying person, can create immense fear. Grief is a natural response to losing someone who was a part of our world, but it also extends beyond personal loss. The death of unknown individuals can trigger unresolved emotions within us.
Death is often considered a misfortune, something to be avoided or feared. However, life and death are interwoven in ways beyond our immediate understanding. While we grieve, we can also hold space for the possibility that every transition is part of a greater unfolding.
Families often do not speak about loss. In my coaching practice, I have worked with people who never fully grieved the passing of a loved one. As we gently process their thoughts, beliefs, and emotions surrounding the loss, a profound sense of peace and deep wisdom emerges. Sometimes, regression work is needed to access layers of grief that do not surface in conversation.
Perhaps we avoid discussing death because of the overwhelming emotions it brings up. We may be afraid to see beyond what our physical eyes perceive, or we may fear the unknown future after the death of a loved one. There can even be guilt in acknowledging relief after a long period of caregiving, as it signals the release of burdens that once held us back.
Yet, acknowledging these emotions—grief, fear, guilt, relief—allows us to move toward deeper understanding, acceptance, and ultimately, peace.
Crossing Over: What Lies Beyond?
Many near-death experiences and past-life regression cases reveal a sense of peace when people connect to their soul’s larger journey. Extensive research led by medical practitioners like Raymond Moody, Ian Stevenson, Brian Weiss, and Michael Newton sheds light on the expansive world of the afterlife. In fact, it is fair to say that our earthly life is just a momentary visit to the time-space reality.
We are far greater than the life we live on earth. My own personal regressions, as well as my clients' sessions, have revealed a wealth of wisdom and love that awaits us at death. We are not meant to leave this life in search of a better place—we are meant to bring that piece of heaven into our daily existence.
Those who practice meditation often attest to the peace, wisdom, and love that flow from within, helping them stay centered, grounded, and expansive amidst life's busyness. In my regression sessions, I have witnessed remarkable shifts—clients' facial expressions transforming from the struggles of their final moments to profound peace and lightness in death.
Did you know that our spirit guides help us review our lives, understand lessons of love and compassion, and plan our next journey? This divine planning allows us to complete unfinished paths, forge deeper connections, create meaningful experiences, and simply enjoy life. I believe our purpose is to weave meaning and joy into each day. Personally, when I feel “full-filled,” having spent my energy on every goal I set out to achieve, I will be ready to leave.
From Grief to Peace
Let us bring acceptance to this beautiful phenomenon of transition. Here are some gentle reminders for embracing the reality of death.
It is not always kind to prolong the life of a suffering person through medical intervention, especially when there is little, or no quality of life left. There is no judgment in allowing a natural transition—only compassion. It is time we release the collective guilt of not being able to save a life or artificially extending it when suffering becomes prolonged.
When you hear of a death, pause to recall the beautiful moments shared with them.If strangers have passed, say a quiet prayer for their family and friends to find peace in their loss.
Give yourself and others the space to grieve, mourn, and feel emotions as they arise. All emotions are valid and real. There is no judgment on how much, how deeply, or how long one must grieve.
Avoid prolonging rituals in a way that binds you emotionally to the departed. I have often seen people holding on to their passed-over loved ones by continuing rituals years after their passing. The true meaning of “last rites” is to let all ties with that person go.They no longer appear as mother, father, partner, or sibling—but as cherished memories. In spirit, they walk beside us when needed, free from earthly roles, quietly guiding. Every soul moves on to experiences of their own—taking on new lives, new roles, or moving to other dimensions.
We need not judge how they lived their lives. Each soul is on its own path, moving at its own pace of evolution. The time we shared has surely been meaningful and purposeful.
Let us find lightness in death and see it as a celebration of the life that was lived.
Let’s Lay It to Rest
Death is not an end but a continuation—a doorway to another realm, a moment of review and renewal. Some cultures truly celebrate life when someone passes, with music, laughter, storytelling, and gratitude for the journey taken. In these traditions, death is seen as a return rather than a loss.
It is time to respect death and honor the fate of the dying.
There is no greater privilege than being present with a dying person, standing witness to their divine transition.
Death, as traditional wisdom and afterlife explorations suggest, is a passage into a greater existence. This natural transition does not in any way defeat the purpose of life on earth.
This blog is dedicated to my loved ones—my mother, both brothers, and my ex-husband—who passed over in quick succession. Their transitions led me to contemplate the purpose, beauty, and quiet simplicity of death.
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