Louis E. LaGrand

Thousands of people all over the world have reported seeing a loved one after his or her death. G.N.M. Tyrell, a researcher who studied ghosts and other paranormal phenomena, divided such sightings into three basic types: the crisis apparition, when the deceased is seen at his or her moment of death or shortly after; the postmortem apparition, which occurs twelve or more hours after the person's death; and hauntings, or continual apparitions, which are seen many times over a long period. Even people who do not believe in ghosts have reported such sightings. Are they real, or are they figments of people's imaginations? If they are real, why do they happen"

Louis E. LaGrand, the author of the following selection, believes the apparitions are real and that they serve more than one purpose: Not only do they...