Are red cardinals a symbol of death or afterlife in any way?

This is my friend, asking another question here:

“Are you aware of any meaning or connection between red cardinals and death?

I had a friend die who said he would make contact with me after he died. Shortly after, I had a red cardinal visit me in my sleep, in a waking dream. Some of my most heightened spiritual moments are accompanied by the presence of a cardinal. I’m talking about real life, not a dream.

So I’m curious about whether there’s a symbolic meaning. Or if it’s just me. Or is it really my friend making contact?”