My father is alive and well! However, years ago I had a dream that stuck with me for months! It took place in a tradition type of "crypt"...concrete walls, black cast iron bars as the door. It was almost dark outside, late in the day and overcast. There were dead leaves blowing around on the ground, as if it were fall. Inside the crypt was a concrete "table", on that table was a coffin. I was sitting in a chair at the end of the table, just looking at the coffin. I never moved, I never spoke, I was sad, but I remember feeling at peace. Somehow, I knew it was my father in the coffin. It seemed like the dream last all night. As calm as I was in the dream, my husband woke me up because I was crying and rolling around so much in my sleep. It was about 3am. I called my dad to make sure he was alright and, for weeks, I made him call me before he left for work, got to work, left to go home and when he got home. This dream has stuck with me for years and I think about it often. My dad and I have a very excellent relationship and we live about 30 houses down the street from my parents.

HI - believe or not I had dreams just like this many times, and after I lost my parents I came to the conclusion that those dreams are a way for our sub-conscious to help us deal with what is an inevitable part of life. I couldn't imagine living my life without my mom - the thought terrified me. I especially had those dreams as she got a little older and I had kids of my own. Don't think of it as an "omen" but more as your mind dealing with an unthinkable reality.

Dreams of a dead person who is actually alive vs. dreams of a dead person who has passed away. The coffin dream is perhaps more puzzling because your father is actually alive. This reveals the metaphoric nature of most dreams. They are not literal but are an encrytped message (sorry about the pun in commenting on a crypt dream!). The meaning of the dream can only be ascertained if I knew more about your relationship with your father and other associations. However, the dream may have to do with fears of being emotionally separated from your father or other aspects of the relationship. The sadness in your dream may be linked or other feelings of sadness and loss--are you upset or sad or depressed about some aspect of your life? In dreams, characters such as your father may represent aspects of the real relationship but they also may represent parts of yourself. Ask yourself, what part of you feels trapped in a crypt? These are suggestions but follow your instinct in exploring the metaphoric meanings of the dream. All interpretations that I provide in this chat are for general information and should not be considered individualized interpretations of an individual?s dreams. Each dream is unique and requires exploration to be understood. Answers from Alan Siegel, Ph.D. www.dreamwisdom.info International Association for the Study of Dreams www.asdreams.org

My father is alive and well! However, years ago I had a dream that stuck with me for months! It took place in a tradition type of "crypt"...concrete walls, black cast iron bars as the door. It was almost dark outside, late in the day and overcast. There were dead leaves blowing around on the ground, as if it were fall. Inside the crypt was a concrete "table", on that table was a coffin. I was sitting in a chair at the end of the table, just looking at the coffin. I never moved, I never spoke, I was sad, but I remember feeling at peace. Somehow, I knew it was my father in the coffin. It seemed like the dream last all night. As calm as I was in the dream, my husband woke me up because I was crying and rolling around so much in my sleep. It was about 3am. I called my dad to make sure he was alright and, for weeks, I made him call me before he left for work, got to work, left to go home and when he got home. This dream has stuck with me for years and I think about it often. My dad and I have a very excellent relationship and we live about 30 houses down the street from my parents.

 

Interpretation: I find it interesting that you and your father have a great relationship.  The dream you described suggested that there is 'darkness' surrounding it.  In the dream you clearly understood that the relationship between you and your father has been in some way damaged, ruptured - possibly even funeralized.  My question to you is - what has happened to make you feel this way.  Perhaps you had this dream after a disagreement with him.  Or greater perhaps - your dad in the dream - represents someone who shares similar character attributes as him.