Exploring the Mystical Connection: A Hospice Physician’s Study of End-of-Life Dreams

As people near the end of their lives, many experience visions and dreams in which they are reunited with loved ones who have passed on. These experiences are both mysterious and common, but what can science tell us about them and how do they impact those who have them? Dr. Chris Kerr, a hospice physician and neurobiologist, sought to answer these questions through his research. His interest in this topic stemmed from witnessing his dying father have such an experience when Kerr was a teenager.

Dr. Kerr currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo. His work has been featured in a recent New York Times magazine article, and he is also the author of the book Death is But a Dream: Finding Hope and Meaning in End-of-Life Dreams. Susan Moran hosted a discussion with Dr. Kerr on this topic, with Shelley Schlender serving as the producer and executive producer of the conversation.

Through his research and personal experiences, Dr. Kerr sheds light on the significance of end-of-life dreams and how they can bring hope and meaning to those facing their mortality. His work explores the intersection of science and spirituality in understanding these profound experiences that many people encounter as they near the end of their lives.

In his book Death is But a Dream: Finding Hope and Meaning in End-of-Life Dreams, Dr. Kerr delves into the science behind these dreams, explaining how they are linked to brain activity during deep sleep stages known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

He also discusses how these dreams can be influenced by cultural beliefs, religious traditions, and personal experiences. By exploring this connection between science and spirituality, Dr. Kerr provides comfort