Ancestors all around - millions of dead people linger in Americans’ memories
Researchers are using demographic modeling to study the 'shadow population' of deceased relatives who remain significant in the memories of living Americans. The study highlights how cultural traditions and personal memories keep deceased family members present in the lives of the living.
Why it matters
Understanding how death and memory influence social identity provides insight into American cultural and psychological demographics.
Millions of deceased family members are gone but not forgotten by the living. Wolfgang Vrede/Unsplash Ancestors all around – millions of dead people linger in Americans’ memories Published: October 23, 2026 8.42pm BST https://theconversation.com/ancestors-all-around-millions-of-dead-people-linger-in-americans-memories-292342 https://theconversation.com/ancestors-all-around-millions-of-dead-people-linger-in-americans-memories-292342 Link copied Share article Share article
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Halloween kicks off a series of religious and cultural festivals to honor the dead, including All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day and the Day of the Dead. But deceased loved ones don’t disappear from people’s social worlds once the ghost and skeleton decorations come down.
Present in memory and tradition, the dead can shape people’s identities and behaviors long after they die. Recent survey data shows that almost 44% of Americans report that they have felt the presence of a deceased relative or that they have communicated with a deceased relative in the past year alone.
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