When a sim peeks into a coffin, if the vampire's energy is below 25 nothing will happen. Otherwise the vampire scares the sim. Scared sims lose 20 from energy, comfort, hunger, hygiene and bladder. If the sim is teen or older and four of these motives fall to -40 or below, the sim dies. The scare also drains 20 from fun, but this is not checked when determining death. If the sim doesn't die and has a bladder score of -20 or below, bladder failure occurs.

This mechanism is similar to ghost scares but gives a slightly higher motive hit and checks fewer motives for death.