Hi, Jack,
I have no belief in afterlife myself, but my exJW friend did. She had many people ask for her help in 'speaking' with their deceased. She was kind of like some psychic I saw on Oprah once, a woman. She would say - you, in the third row, red sweater. Your father wants you to know that John is with him, and they are okay. Audience member would say - omg, my brother John died last week.
I never believed that stuff, but my friend would do the exact same thing. She *knew* stuff, about the deceased of people she had never met before. I don't bother to try and explain it, it's unimportant to me.
Life, today, the NOW, is what matters. Be kind to people while they are alive - that makes it easier to let go when they die.
I realize you are looking for anecdotes, so shared mine (well, my friend's). Please excuse the "vocal minority" on this forum, who like to make an argument about everything. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that they must POUND their "Truth" into others' heads, and although the belief system has changed, the behaviours are deep-rooted. Just shrug it off.
xx