Katie Duncan, an end-of-life nurse and a a ‘death care coach’ who has witnessed many deaths throughout her career, shares insights of what happens when someone nears death.
Duncan has worked across intensive care units, home hospices, and long-term care facilities. Over the years, she has noticed patterns at her patients that she describes as both inexplicable and deeply touching.
Her TikTok videos are very popular and in the most recent ones, she spoke of a “mystical” phenomenon that is part of the dying process.
Duncan observed that as they shuffle off this mortal coil, many patients reach upwards, as though trying to grasp something above them.
“In my experience, it’s very common,” she said in the video. “You’ll literally see someone reach up, like they’re trying to hold someone’s hand or touch something in the air.”
These movements are sometimes accompanied with what she describes as end-of-life visions.
“People often say they’re seeing someone, a loved one, a pet, even an angel or a bright light,” she explained. “Other times, they don’t speak at all, but still reach up, as if sensing a presence.”
While they do so, the patients are not in distress. On the contrary, they seem to be at ease.
“If anything, they seem comforted,” she said. “These visions, whatever their origin, often bring people a deep sense of calm.”
Duncan adds, “It’s one of the more mysterious aspects of death that we’re lucky enough to witness as caregivers. It’s humbling.”
@death.care.coach #hospicenurse #nurse #learnontiktok #deatheducation #oncology #healthcare #endoflifecare #deathdoula ♬ original sound – DeathCareCoach
As with any of her videos, people reacted to this one too, sharing their personal experiences of their loved ones doing the same movement as they were near death.
“My dad reached up with both arms. Prior to this, he couldn’t lift his arms at all,” one person shared.
“When I witnessed this I didn’t want to disturb him at all. It was a really special experience,” another added.
“This is the in-between. What a privilege to witness,” a third wrote.
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