For one man, it is a way of life.
Peter Crawford is a professional psychic medium. He loves nothing more than helping other people communicate with the spirits.
RICHARD MENNEAR caught up with him.
PETER Crawford's gift first came to light when he was a teenager.
His mum, Sylvia Crawford, died of lung cancer. He was 18 at the time.
Since then Peter has raised more than £25,000 for charity and provides public and private readings for people across North East England.
The clairvoyant, who lives in the West Park area of Hartlepool, said: "The smallest thing can often have the biggest effect especially when you are trying to comfort someone who has recently lost someone.
"It was a very traumatic time when my mum died and I believe it was that experience that pushed me towards what I do today.
"A friend of mine took me to a spiritualist church for guidance and I must admit at first I was a big sceptic.
"The medium told me I would do this for a living and that really got me thinking."
He has now been a professional psychic medium for 15 years.
He reflects: "My job is to give proof of life after death."
The dad-of-two reckons he has had the gift of being able to communicate with spirits since the age of seven.
Since he started to put it into practice, Peter has since raised money for schools, cancer and earthquake victims..
The 38-year-old still doesn't advertise his services but relies on word of mouth.
The Sunderland and Hartlepool United fan added: "What always amazes me is the amount of men that either come to my shows or request private sessions. In the past five years in particular I have seen a huge increase.
"I think people would also be surprised by the different range of professions that come to see me including doctors, nurses and social workers.
"The sessions last between half an hour and an hour and they do take a lot out of me. It is very hard work that can leave me feeling really tired afterwards," added Peter who is booked up until August and took part in a sell out show at Hartlepool's Town Hall Theatre last year.
