Near Death Awareness vs. Near Death Experiences: Understanding the Difference

Amy Lane
May 6, 2025
3 min read

In the growing field of end-of-life studies, two phenomena often arise in discussions about dying: Near Death Awareness (NDA) and Near Death Experiences (NDEs). While they may sound similar, they refer to distinct occurrences, often with different implications for patients, caregivers, and researchers. Understanding the difference between these two can provide clarity and compassion for those involved in end-of-life care.

What Is a Near Death Experience (NDE)?

A Near Death Experience is thought to be a psychological event typically reported by individuals who have been clinically dead or close to death but were revived. These experiences are usually marked by vivid, sometimes transformative perceptions and emotions. Common elements include:

A sense of leaving the body
Moving through a tunnel
Encountering a bright light or spiritual beings
A feeling of peace or unconditional love
A life review
A decision or command to return to life

Research Highlight: Dr. Raymond Moody popularized the term in his 1975 book Life After Life, documenting over 100 case studies of people who reported these phenomena. Studies such as those by Dr. Bruce Greyson and Dr. Pim van Lommel have further explored NDEs through both scientific and medical lenses.

Sources:

Moody, R. A. (1975). Life After Life. Bantam Books.
Greyson, B. (2000). "Near-death experiences." Handbook of near-death experiences. Praeger Publishers.
van Lommel, P. (2001). "Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands." The Lancet, 358(9298), 2039–2045.

What Is Near Death Awareness (NDA)?

Near Death Awareness refers to behaviors and expressions observed in people who are actively dying, especially in hospice and palliative care settings. Unlike NDEs, these experiences occur in patients who are typically not revived and often remain in altered states of consciousness. NDA can include:

Speaking to unseen persons (often deceased loved ones)
Describing a journey or transition
Expressing a sense of being prepared to die
Unexplained knowledge about the time of death

NDA is usually seen as a natural part of the dying process, and it’s often interpreted as a way the dying come to terms with their own mortality. These moments can offer comfort to both the dying and their loved ones.

Research Highlight: Hospice nurse Maggie Callanan, co-author of Final Gifts, brought attention to NDA through her extensive work with dying patients. Her observations provide compassionate insight into how dying individuals communicate their impending transition.

Sources:

Callanan, M., & Kelley, P. (1992). Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying. Simon & Schuster.
Fenwick, P., Lovelace, H., & Brayne, S. (2009). "Comfort for the dying: five-year retrospective and one-year prospective studies of end-of-life experiences." Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 51(2), 173–179.

Key Differences Between NDA and NDEs

Feature	Near Death Experience (NDE)	Near Death Awareness (NDA)
State of Consciousness	Occurs during unconsciousness or clinical death	Often occurs during altered but conscious states
Outcome	Person returns to life	Person is typically approaching death
Nature of Experience	Vivid, transcendental, often transformative	Subtle, symbolic, often predictive
Commonly Observed In	Resuscitated patients	Hospice and palliative care settings
Typical Interpretation	Possible evidence of afterlife or consciousness beyond death	A natural psychological/spiritual process before death

Why It Matters

Understanding the difference between NDEs and NDA has practical and emotional importance:

For families: Recognizing NDA can help loved ones understand the dying process and prepare emotionally.
For healthcare providers: Differentiating between these experiences can improve communication and care.
For researchers: These phenomena offer insight into consciousness, mortality, and the human psyche.

Additional Resources

International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) – https://iands.org
Hospice Foundation of America – https://hospicefoundation.org
Final Gifts by Maggie Callanan – A compassionate guide to NDA and end-of-life communication.
The University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies – Research on NDEs and consciousness.

Conclusion

Both Near Death Experiences and Near Death Awareness invite us to look more deeply at life’s final chapter. Whether seen through a spiritual, psychological, or scientific lens, they underscore the profound nature of human consciousness at the edge of life.