Medium reveals one smell that could actually be a loved one trying to contact you from beyond the grave

A medium has revealed one specific sign that could be a loved one trying to contact you from beyond the grave.

Everyone is unique when it comes to their own particular grieving process, with many sharing their personal anecdotes about experiences they've had after losing a relative, partner, friend or pet.

Namely, a fair few people have taken to social media to report on instances where they've actually been able to 'smell' the scent of a deceased loved one - whether that's their perfume, cologne, cigarette smoke or even their favourite food.

Writing on the r/paranormal thread on Reddit, one person shared: "I've had a good few paranormal stuff happen to me, but I keep recently smelling my granny, only for a few seconds, but she passed in 2022.

"I’ve been talking to her as I’m going through a rough time asking for help, but I oddly keep smelling her. I’m hoping this means she is OK."

People have reported 'smelling' a deceased loved one from beyond the grave (Andrew Holt / Getty Images)

A second assured: "Aside from the spiritual aspect, scent has a strong link to memory.

"The human brain is structured in such a way that the sensory processing section of the brain associated with scent can also trigger memory pathways that certain smells are associated with.

"You smelling scents that remind you of your grandmother probably also bring up strong memories of years past with her. Perhaps it's paranormal, or perhaps grief is just making you more reactive to familiar scents that remind you of her.

"Either way, you can take it as a sign that she still exists in some way, in the depths of your mind and heart. The dead aren't truly dead until you forget them."

'I felt peace'

Have you ever 'smelt' the fragrance of a relative, partner or friend after they've passed? (Getty Stock Image)

"I smelled my dog on 2 occasions after he passed," a third chimed in. "It just... smelled like him. We had no other dogs but him so it wasn’t another dog in our house. I’d like to think he was saying goodbye."

Another offered: "I’ve had similar incidents, my grandfather was a carpenter, he died in 1983 and twice in the past 10 years I’ve smelled him. His scent was a particular type of sawdust."

And a final Reddit user added: "When I was in high school and going through a tough time, there were a few days where I kept getting whiffs of a familiar, comforting, but unplaceable smell.

"At work after school, there was a moment when the smell got really strong, and I realised it reminded me of my grandfather, who had died a few years before. It went away shortly after that."

A medium's take

A medium has explained that there are many ways loved ones may make contact from beyond the grave (Yana Iskayeva / Getty Images)

Well, clearly enough, people have reported experiences with such a phenomenon, but why on Earth does this happen?

According to those who lean on the more spiritual side when it comes to life, death and the afterlife, smelling the scent of a departed loved one is fairly common.

It is referred to as an olfactory after-death communication.

Beliefnet claims: "A deceased loved one may send you messages perceptible through scent. If you can’t explain an unexpectedly pleasant smell, it may be a sign that a deceased loved one is nearby.

"Many say that these sweet scents may simply be your loved one’s way of reaching out to you to let you know they are with you.

"The smells may take the form of delicious food, fragrant flowers, or a pleasant perfume that a deceased loved one used to wear. They may also send messages through sights and sounds."

Medium Judy O’Brien explains that there are many ways loved ones may make contact from beyond the grave.

The medium claimed she can see, smell, hear, touch and even use taste to communicate with spirits (Douglas Sacha / Getty Images)

Speaking to Starts at 60, she revealed that she can see, smell, hear, touch and even use taste to communicate with spirits.

"They [spirits] give me things to taste. They remember what they used to love and share that with me. So, if someone loved cheesecake, I will taste cheesecake," she claimed. "Sometimes I laugh at spirits and say, 'can’t you give me a hamburger?'"

In other instances, Judy will smell a scent like smoke, which she claims is the spirit giving her the sign that they were a smoker in their life - kind of like a 'clue' that she can pass on to their living loved one who has come to her for guidance and support.

And it's not just psychics or mediums who can experience these signs from the afterlife, as Judy notes that everyday people can receive signals from spirits and angels too, but that they just have to be aware of what they are.

"So, if you’ve been smelling your late father’s cologne recently, and haven’t actually sprayed any around, it could be him letting you know he’s still there to support you from the other side," the outlet adds.

'Smelling' a deceased loved one can be comforting but also feel disturbing (Sjo / Getty Images)

The psychology behind the phenomenon

Cruse Bereavement Support explains that, after someone dies, it’s normal to see or hear them.

"Some people also report sensing the smell or warmth of someone close to them, or just feel a very strong sense of their presence. Sometimes these feelings can be very powerful. They may be comforting but also feel disturbing," the official website states.

And, while these experiences are normal, when someone close to you dies, it can take a while for parts of your brain and the way you think to 'catch up'.

"It will take some time for your brain to process what has happened and for the finality of it to sink in," Cruse adds.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.