How did Christian priests in the twelfth century seek to undermine the fear that souls returned to earth after death?

In the twelfth century, Christian priests sought to undermine the fear of souls returning to earth by emphasizing the doctrine of the afterlife and the salvation of the soul through faith and good works. They taught that, upon death, souls would face judgment and either ascend to heaven or be condemned to hell, thereby reassuring the faithful that earthly hauntings were not a concern for the righteous. Additionally, priests promoted the efficacy of prayer, masses for the dead, and the importance of living a virtuous life to ensure a peaceful transition to the afterlife, thus alleviating fears of restless spirits. By framing death as a passage rather than an end, they aimed to shift focus from fear to hope in divine mercy.