Ghosts

A ghost is an apparition, usually of a dead person, which appears as either an unidentifiable mass, or a recognisable being. Most cultures have ghost stories, and they've become a sub genre over the years in literature and films.

Reports of sighting are common, but were more so in medieval times when people were very superstitious.

A spirit who dies violently can sometimes cause harm, and people who were murdered are said to haunt the place of their death, perhaps to try and reveal or scare their killer.

People who are dying are more likely to see an apparition.

Ghosts that can move objects, furniture, and cause doors to slam etc… are known as poltergeists.

Apparitions can appear by themselves or be summoned by a medium, (a person with special powers). If a ghost refuses to leave a place/person there are many things you can try to get rid of them, including staking the corpse, re-burying it, and/or praying and exorcism, (see Angels and Demons). Some funeral rituals are performed to prevent ghosts from haunting the living.

Many people believe that the soul can separate from the body at the point of death and that's why we have ghosts.