A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center, a think tank based in Washington, reveals that over half of individuals (53 per cent) claim to have had contact with a deceased relative.

The study, which was published last week, also uncovers that individuals categorised as 'moderately religious' have encountered visits from deceased family members, either through dreams or other forms.

Forty-four per cent of those surveyed reported experiencing at least one of these three situations in the past year: sensing the presence of a deceased family member, talking to a late relative about their life, or having a deceased family member communicate with them.

The survey was carried out among members of the American Trends Panel, administered by the centre between March and April. The responses encompassed a wide range of "Americans of all religious backgrounds," including Buddhists, Jews, and Muslims.

The research highlights that the highest percentage of individuals who reported such experiences were black Protestants (67 per cent) followed by Catholics (66 per cent), with many of these occurrences taking place within the past year.

Patricia Tevington and Manolo Corichi, research associates focusing on religion research at the Pew Research Center, said: “People who are moderately religious seem to be more likely than other Americans to have these experiences.

“This is partly because some of the most traditionally religious groups – such as evangelical Protestants – as well as some of the least religious parts of the population – such as atheists and agnostics – are less likely to report having interactions with deceased family members.”

Comparatively, few adults who identify as atheists (15 per cent) or agnostics (25 per cent) reported any of these experiences over the course of the past twelve months. In contrast, approximately half (48 per cent) of those who claim no specific religious affiliation reported having undergone at least one of these experiences.