What People Report
Based on 21,451 reportsThe most frequently reported phenomenological features in shared death experiences.
n=21,45192.1% first-person
SDEs are classified by their shared nature — a bystander co-experiencing the dying person's transition — not by any single element. Meeting deceased is the most common feature (56%), but many SDEs involve shared light, out-of-body perception, or feelings of peace without encountering specific individuals.
Emotional Tone
Based on 21,451 reportsHow people describe the emotional quality of their shared death experience.
Peaceful
7,500 reports (35%)
Grateful
5,400 reports (25%)
Awed
3,200 reports (15%)
Mixed
2,600 reports (12%)
Neutral
2,800 reports (13%)
Beings Encountered
Based on 21,451 reportsEntities and beings reported during shared death experiences.
n=21,45192.1% first-person